Issue 44 July 2015
Audiences are set to have the time of their lives as
Makeover
The Style Show returns to transform members of Keeping Abreast , leading up to Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Dirty Dancing
returns to Norwich Theatre Royal
INTERVIEW
Kristina Rihanoff talks to Pete Goodrum about Puttin’ on the Ritz at the Theatre Royal
FINEFashion FINEEvents FINEpeople
PLUS
FINEarts
We explore the Fine Food Norfolk has to offer.
FINELIVING
NORWICH
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Issue 44 July 2015
Audiences are set to have the time of their lives as
MAKEOVER
The Style Show returns to transform members of Keeping Abreast , leading up to Breast Cancer Awareness Month
DIRTY DANCING
returns to Norwich Theatre Royal
12 FINE people
FINEFASHION FINEEVENTS FINEPEOPLE
PLUS
FINEARTS
We explore the Fine Food Norfolk has to offer.
FINELIVING
FINE places
NORWICH
Issue 44
22 42 FINE arts
INTERVIEW
Kristina Rihanoff talks to Pete Goodrum about Puttin’ on the Ritz at the Theatre Royal
Your community magazine Cover image courtesy of Theatre Royal Norwich FineCity Magazine would like to thank all those who have contributed to this issue. This includes but is not limited to: Pete Goodrum, Stephen Browning and Tony Cooper. FineFashion: Sue Dougal & Chrissi Rix Front Cover image courtesy of Daniel Tink. www.scenicnorfolk.co.uk
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Kristina Rihanoff
Star of Strictly Come Dancing, is coming to the Theatre Royal in Norwich with ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ Pete Goodrum talks to her about the show and more! www.finecity.co.uk
2015 July | 07
K
ristina Rihanoff is, to say the least, ‘high profile’. And she’s very busy. She’s hugely apologetic that we have to delay the start of our conversation for about ten minutes, because she is constantly on the move. She covers a lot of ground when you talk with her too. Her conversation is as fast paced and engaging as her legendary dancing. I open with the fact that she’s coming to Norwich. Is she looking forward to it? ‘Yes! It’s exciting, and it’s especially lovely because it’s Robin’s neck of the woods; he comes form Ipswich and he’s looking forward to being in the area’. Robin is of course Robin Windsor, her co-star, dance partner and fellow performer in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. And that’s it. We’re off. Kristina Rihanoff loves to dance, and she loves talking about dance. She talks about her and Robin dancing together, the trust and mutual respect that make it work. And she talks about dancing in 08 | July 2015
‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’. ‘It’s music from the Golden Age of Hollywood’, she says. I say that I’m guessing she’s a fan of Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. ‘Absolutely! It’s the music I grew up with; the music I learned to dance to’. Which is a good point to rewind to the start of it all. Kristina Rihanoff was born in Vladivostok. Her parents, who were both engineers, divorced when she was twelve. We’ll return to that point later, for other reasons. But, with that Hollywood soundtrack as an inspiration, Kristina was at dance classes by the time she was five, and a competitive dancer by seven. At fifteen she became a part time dance instructor, with the main objective of helping the household budget for her and her mother with whom she was living. She was soon earning in a day what her mother could earn in a month. By the time she was twenty one she was working in the USA, instructing Russian dancers there. Her career soon took in teaching, choreographing and performing. Establishing
herself internationally she won awards, and found fame. In 2007, together with her partner, she made it to the top twelve couples in the ‘Open to the World Latin Championships’ the most prestigious competition in the world. Soon she would join the hit US tv series ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Less than a year later she was part of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. I ask her about ‘Strictly’. What would be her favourite moments on the show? ‘I’d have to say last year’s finals, with Simon Webbe. It was a roller coaster ride, with so many ‘dance offs’, but what I loved was that he trusted me, 125%!’ Partnering in dance is important to her. We return to the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ and I wonder if she has a hero or heroine from the dancers of the time. ‘Unquestionably Fred Astaire’, she says. ‘Fred and Ginger of course, but with all his partners, he was the best. So cool. And so pioneering. He controlled movie shots to keep dancers in the frame. And he had such great partnering skills. He
worked so hard to bring out the best in a dancing partnership’. ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ is she says is a real celebration of that wonderful era of dance. ‘It’s exciting, with such great tunes. It’s a ‘song and dance journey, packed with great performers and brilliant routines’. She laughs. ‘It’s the sort of show where I’d love to be in the audience - for once!’ So does she have any time off? Ever? ‘Not really. I don’t often have a day off. But I love it. It’s what I do. I can’t imagine ever doing anything else. I’ve never
feature by:
Pete Goodrum Writer, broadcaster @petegoodrum
www.finecity.co.uk
FINEPeople wanted to’. When pressed she admits that if she does ever manage some relaxation she’d probably just opt for a ‘sofa and tv’ at home. Home is London. It’s not that she doesn’t get there. ‘I get home quite often, but I don’t switch off. The place needs some remodelling - but I have no idea when that’s going to happen!’ This demanding schedule has however not stopped her working for a charity close to her heart. The Dot Com Foundation teaches vulnerable schoolchildren about right and wrong behaviour, and how to ask for help if they are victims of physical or sexual abuse. It’s where we return to her learning to dance as a child. ‘I came from a broken marriage. I understand the pressures children face. I used ballroom dancing as a form of escapism when I was growing up’. Kristina became involved in the charity - set up by former newsreader and child sexual abuse survivor Sharon Doughty - because she hopes her story will help inspire other young people. ’Dance lessons were where I felt safe. I want children growing up now to know that if there are problems at home, there is something that can be done and to encourage them to talk about it’. The charity uses age appropriate journals as part of the ‘Values Versus Violence’ programme and features a character called Dot Com. “Dot is every child’s friend. They can tell her anything’. Somehow she manages to fit this important project into her seriously demanding workload. And nobody puts more demands on her than she does herself. She is dedicated to her craft. ‘I love all aspects of dance. Teaching it, choreographing it, and of course doing it!’ We talk more about ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’. ‘It’s such a great show’,
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she says. ‘It’s a celebration of all that’s great about the classic Hollywood era; they’ re just such fantastic songs. And we have a wonderful cast’. Kristina goes on to explain that from her personal perspective the show is a great opportunity to return to those inspirational tunes. ‘I’m lucky. I do what I love doing and I adore all of it. Nowadays we so often dance to more modern music, especially for tv, and it’s brilliant. So, to go back to those tunes I knew when I was growing up is wonderful. ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ gives me the opportunity to dance to them all over again’. Given the huge variety of her work I wonder if she has a favourite dance. ‘That’s difficult’, she says, but after only a moment’s thought adds, ‘I guess in ballroom dancing it would be the Foxtrot, and in Latin it would have to be the Cha Cha Cha’. As we draw to a close I comment on her fascination with dance partnering, and how she sees it as so important. ‘It is important. And I really feel that Robin and I work so well together. ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ is such a great show for us. We make our dance partnership work. We love to do something different’. I tell her that ‘doing different’ is a very Norfolk attitude, so I’m sure she will enjoy being here. ‘I know I will’, she says. And you believe her. Because she’ll be dancing.
‘Puttin’ On The Ritz’ starring Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor is at the Theatre Royal, Norwich from Tuesday 21st to Saturday 25th July.
2015 July | 09
FINEPeople
Holly Lerski Norfolk singer-songwriter returns with new album and festivals tour
N
orwich based singer songwriter Holly Lerski has just released a new album (her fourth) and visits Holt Festival on 20 July as part of a UK tour of summer festivals. Musicians carry many tools in their armoury; heartbreak, travel, experience, but contentment isn’t usually one of them. Since Holly’s return to rural Norfolk, leaving behind a record deal and a band, Holly has enjoyed a contentment which has allowed her to explore her creativity offtimetable and create some of the best music of her 18 year career for the newly released album, ‘The Wooden House’. The album was recorded in the wooden house of the title – the shed at the bottom of her garden – over the course of two years. As well as writing all the songs Holly sung, strummed, drummed and recorded almost every note on it herself taking in everything 10 | July 2015
from banjo, ukulele and tenor guitar to coffee cups and spoons. Where needed she got a few friends in to help out like Bonnie Raitt bassist James ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson from Los Angeles and Cambridge’s producer/mixer Stu Hanna. The end result is a sweet warm intimate gem of a record, perfect for summer listening. Born in London Holly moved to Norfolk at the age of 9. She formed and fronted the folkrock band Angelou in Norwich in 1997 and the band quickly came to the attention of Nick Hornby and signed to Haven Records to release two albums. They found themselves touring with Eddi Reader and making waves in Spain with two national tours, including the Benicassim Festival Tour with Spanish Indie Rockers La Habitación Roja and National Spanish TV and radio appearances. This caught the attention of UK major record labels, and they signed to
Sanctuary Records who were also releasing records by the likes of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, The Blue Nile, Groove Armada and The Charlatans. The reviews were ecstatic with Uncut magazine describing Holly as “the spiritual sister of Jeff Buckley” and The Sunday Times declaring the second album to be “brilliant folk-pop with a gorgeous voice…a real find’. The band went to Denmark and Manchester to record their third, more poppy album ‘Life is Beautiful’. Released under Holly’s name the album finally broke her songs onto BBC daytime Radio 2 and extensive touring of the UK, Europe and USA followed. Songs from Life Is Beautiful were added to Starbucks in house playlists but when the record company was swallowed up by its parent company Universal Holly opted to leave and after a period of living in Manchester returned to Norwich. Now she’s back with a
delightful new record that, as the title track says is the perfect soundtrack for ’sitting on the porch to see the summer out’. Not that Holly will have much opportunity to do that herself, touring to support the record will take up much of the summer. Do catch her if you can, her warm engaging on stage personality and delivery perfectly suits the lushly appealing bittersweet melancholy to her songs. ‘You’ll be hard pressed to find sounds more achingly lovely” - Mojo Magazine Holly Lerski plays The Holt Festival at the Lawns Hotel Station Road, Holt, NR25 6BS on 20 July. Info and tickets www.holtfestival.org or 01603 598 699 The Wooden House is available now on Laundry Records CD or to download from iTunes and Amazon www.finecity.co.uk
FINEPeople
Aron Bennett OCD Journey of a Norfolk Man If not entirely a pleasant coincidence, it is certainly no doubt interesting to note that the first ever mention of what is now referred to as obsessivecompulsive disorder – or OCD –occurred right here in Norwich over three hundred years ago. A Sermon in 1689, given by the then Bishop of Norwich, John Moore, referred directly to the phenomena of obsessional thinking , describing the unpleasant or intrusive thoughts suffered by some of his Congregation as “naughty, and sometimes Blasphemous Thoughts [which] start in their Minds while they are exercised in the worship of God, [despite] all their endeavors to stifle and suppress them.” Centuries later and the term OCD has almost lost its original meaning completely. Or at least, has lost, through popular or careless discourse, it’s true, devastating impact. Nowadays, OCD is often characterized as an endearing quirk or, perhaps www.finecity.co.uk
even worse, by reference to excessive cleanliness or ‘Perfectionism’. Yet OCD is often much more nuanced than this narrow and fractional depiction and comes in a variety of forms. The sheer multitude of these ‘manifestations’ mean that OCD should not be so easily trivialized and instead must be understood in its truest context. Aron Bennett, 29 from Thorp Hamlet, Norwich wanted to set the record straight with regards his own OCD and his memoire ‘The Walking Worried; A Young Man’s Journey with OCD’ is his attempt at doing just that. Aron suffers with a variation of OCD known as ‘moral scrupulosity’ which is, in essence, a fear of moral or ethical failure and is a form scarcely covered in the existing literature. For Aron, like those who wash excessively or check the locks repeatedly, Aron fears the consequences of his burdensome thoughts; of being a ‘bad person’. And just as those who check or hoard,
Aron engages in compulsive behaviours which are carried out, often repeatedly, in an attempt to alleviate his anxiety and avoid being ‘bad’. Common rituals over the years have included seeking reassurance from loved ones, thought suppression (trying not to think of blasphemous or sexual thoughts) or simply just avoiding ‘dangerous’ situations. Like the vast majority of those living with OCD, some of Aron’s biggest fears are almost entirely unfounded - amongst others, has been the horrifying and unconscionable fear of being a rapist - and yet, also like fellow OCD patients, Aron has struggled to accept just how low the chances of his worst fears coming true actually are in reality. The cruel irony is that NO ONE WITH OCD EVER CARRIES OUT THEIR UNWANTED FEARS. As John Moore so eloquently revealed in his infamous Sermon before the Queen at Whitehall, this is entirely down to the fact that these ‘are mostly good people… and for that reason the least dishonourable thought of him, which insinuates itself into their minds, is so dreadful unto them.” Aron’s gripping personal account which sees his struggles through University and the years following treatment, was published in February of this year and has sold several hundred copies to date. Aron wishes to spread awareness of the condition as well as end some of the generational shame that still enshrouds it. His hope is to make an impact on those who are going through similar to him as well as those know or care for somebody that is. Aron’s overall message is hopeful; that OCD can be ‘managed’ but that it is vital, first off, that loved ones and professionals are receptive and well-educated. It is also of vital importance that OCD symptoms are not misunderstood and diagnosed correctly as early as possible. In his spare time Aron has spent a lot of time working with the local OCD community, where he has helped local support groups in the region
as a volunteer of the National Charity OCD Action. Aron’s main responsibilities have historically been to help groups develop their overall attendance as well as to work more closely and effectively with local services, including Norfolk Wellbeing and local GP surgeries. Aron is now lucky to live a relatively care-free life and is confident that fellow sufferers may also find relative peace with their condition. It is not an immediate transmutation from sick to well but, with hard work, compassion and support, it is a true reality for a great number of The Walking Worried. One final word of wisdom from the enlightened Bishop of Norwich particularly comes to mind here and is an insight which Aron himself has found almost universally accommodating: “When you find these thoughts creeping upon you, be not mightily dejected.... Neither violently struggle with them; since experience doth teach that they increase and swell by vehement opposition; but dissipate and waste away, & come to nothing when they are neglected, and we do not much concern ourselves about them” ‘The Walking Worried A Young Man’s Journey with OCD’ is available for sale online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Waterstones. Aron, a lover of literature, is already considering writing a sequel. He hopes the first book will continue to be a success so that he may continue in pursuit of his most prized hobby which he sees as perhaps one of the very greatest tonics against the weighty and often misundersood presence of OCD.
2015 July | 11
Monaco Grand Prix Eager motor-racing fan, Tony Cooper, laps up Monaco’s F1 Grand Prix
A
nd there’s a lot to lap up in Monaco! Nothing comes better than this Formula One race probably the most famous of its kind in the calendar and definitely the most glamorous. Along with my erstwhile travelling companion and motor-racing buddy, Miss X, I’ve attended this race meeting for years and beforehand watched it glued to the television set guiding my sons, Antony and Edward, through the grid. Now they’re on pole position! 12 | July 2015
Run on the streets of the Principality, currently ruled by Prince Albert II who succeeded his father Prince Rainier III in 2005, the race - organised by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) - is part of motorsport’s Triple Crown in keeping with the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Indianapolis 500. And British drivers, in particular, have carved their name in Monaco’s hall of fame most notably London-born racing driver, Graham Hill, known as ‘Mr Monaco’ in recognition of five
glorious victories. He’s also the only man to have achieved the Triple Crown. But records are there to be broken, especially in F1 racing, and Hill’s envious record at Monaco was usurped by Brazilian super ace, Ayrton Senna, who took the chequered flag a halfdozen times which included five back-to-back wins between 1989 and 1993. But the history of the Monaco Grand Prix stretches back to the Roaring Twenties and the first race in the Principality (14th April
1929) was organised by cigarette magnate Antony Noghès under the auspices of the Automobile Club de Monaco. It was won by William Grover-Williams driving a Bugatti who pocketed prize money of 100,000 French francs. An interesting character, he served in the Second World War working as a special agent for the Special Operations Executive (a British-based intelligence organisation) inside France. Arrested by the intelligence agency of the Nazi Party towards the end of the war, he was www.finecity.co.uk
FINEPLACES
Romain Grosjean racing at Monaco
feature by:
Tony Cooper Writer tc@tony-cooper.co.uk
www.finecity.co.uk
executed at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp in 1945. The race, in actual fact, originally formed part of the pre-Second World War European Championship and became incorporated into the F1 World Drivers’ Championship in 1950. Italian-born driver, Giuseppe ‘Nino’ Farina, driving for the Alfa Romeo team, took the honours that year becoming F1’s first World Champion. But the first driver to actually win multiple championships was Alberto Ascari in 1952 and 1953
driving a Lancia while those winning three races in a row fall to Graham Hill, 1963-65 (BRM), Alain Prost, 1984-86 (McLaren) and Ayrton Senna, 1989-91 (McLaren) although Senna’s first victory at Monaco was in 1987 driving for Colin Chapman’s Norfolk-based Team Lotus. He also took the chequered flag in two straight wins in1992 and 1993 (again for McLaren). Now Nico Rosberg - son of Finnish 1982 Formula One World Champion, Keke Rosberg joins this illustrious club after
winning the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix thus making it three in a row driving for the Mercedes team beating his arch rival and teammate, Lewis Hamilton, because of a bungled pit stop that caught Hamilton out fair and square. But Hamilton contributes another viewpoint to the situation. A couple of years after Ascari’s success, luck, as it so often does, turned sour. When leading the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix his car spun furiously off the track finishing up in the harbour. Thankfully, quick-thinking 2015 July | 13
Swiss-born, Lotus driver, Romain Grosjean, newly-appointed F1 ambassador to G H Mumm, the official champagne of the F1 championship.
14 | July 2015
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FINEPLACES frogmen fetched him out and he was stretchered to hospital with nothing more than a few minor scratches and suffering from shock. His miraculous escape, however, was short-lived as he was killed testing a sports Ferrari at Monza only four days after the Monaco incident. Lots of sports people are superstitious, I guess, but none more so than Ascari who harboured a deep superstitious nature. He avoided black cats, for instance, and refused to allow anyone to touch his briefcase containing his racing gear such as his lucky blue helmet and T-shirt. He was also fastidious about unlucky numbers and ‘26’ is reckoned to be one of them. And on the day he was killed it was on the 26th of the month at the age of 36. Ironically, his father, Antonio - who won the inaugural Belgian Grand Prix in 1925 at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - was killed on the same day of the month at the same age while leading the French Grand Prix
in 1925 driving an Alfa Romeo P2 in the first race at the new Autodrome de Montlhéry south of Paris. Alberto was seven years old at the time. Ascari was an extremely popular figure in motorsport and more than a million people lined the streets of Milan for his funeral. His great Argentinian-born rival, Juan Manuel Fangio - nicknamed El Chueco or El Maestro lamented: ‘I’ve lost my greatest opponent.’ So distraught, though, was Gianni Lancia that he decided to pack in motor racing altogether and handed his team to Ferrari. Ironically, three days before Ascari died, he confided to a friend: ‘I never want my children to become too fond of me because one day I might not come back.’ Fangio, in fact, won the first Monaco Grand Prix in 1950 and although the race did not take place again until 1955 it has remained a permanent fixture on F1’s racing calendar ever since. Bernie Ecclestone (F1’s supremo)
announced in 2010 that a tenyear deal had been reached with the race organisers thereby keeping the Monaco race on the calendar until at least 2020. Interestingly, Monaco’s the only event not to feature a podium as the celebrations are held on the steps of the royal box with Mumm champagne flowing like water. It’s also the only event to hold its practice day on the Thursday preceding the race allowing the roads to be opened to the public on the Friday. And because the race is held on a narrow street course with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel it makes Le circuit de Monaco one of the most demanding of all tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low-average speeds, it’s a dangerous place in which to race and Monaco’s the only Grand Prix that does not adhere to the FIA’s mandated 305 kilometres (190 miles) minimum race distance. The Belgian-Dutch racing driver,
Max Verstappen, son of Johannes (Jos the Boss) Verstappen, found how tight the circuit was this year - his rookie year in Formula One driving for the Scuderia Toro Rosso team - when he shot straight into a tyre bank at the dangerous corner of Sainte Dévote (named after the patron saint of Monaco and, indeed, of Corsica) in a mistimed overtaking manoeuvre on Swiss-born, Lotus driver, Romain Grosjean, who has just been appointed F1 ambassador to G H Mumm, the official champagne of the Formula One Championship. This is the first time the brand - instantly recognisable by its distinctive jeroboam of G H Mumm Cordon Rouge - has appointed an F1 driver in this role. Good luck Grosjean and champagne all round! Mumm, of course! Dangerous or not there are two drivers who threw caution to the wind and soaked up danger like no other dominating Monaco between the years 1984 and 1993 - Alain Prost and
Tony Cooper celebrating Nico Rosberg’s win in Stars & Bars.
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2015 July | 15
FINEPLACES
Ayrton Senna. Fierce and brutal competitors, they were both immensely popular in Monaco and following Senna’s victory in the 1987 race (driving for Team Lotus) his popularity was amplified when he was arrested for riding a motorcycle without wearing a crash helmet. He was immediately released after police discovered who their charge was. A champion fighter through and through, Senna was a driver without limits and drove for Team Lotus from 1985 to 1987. He won Monaco more times than any other driver notching up six victories and winning five consecutive races between 1989 and 1993 while Michael Schumacher notched up five victories matching Graham Hill’s record. However, in 2006, Schumacher attracted widespread criticism when he spun his car deliberately blocking the track at La Rascasse, the 16 | July 2015
slowest corner in F1 racing, thus preventing Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber - who were both following and on flying laps - from out-qualifying him. It’s a famous corner and Miss X and I witnessed Schumacher’s shenanigans. We were dumbfounded in disbelief that a driver of his calibre could do such a mean and unsporting-like act. But he did! Yellow flags were waved but his competitors were not able to beat his time thereby handing him pole position. Although Schumacher claimed it was a genuine accident, the FIA disagreed and demoted him to the back of the grid. La Rascasse itself takes cars into a short straight before the last turn of the Monaco circuit (the former ‘Gazometer’ turn) a few metres from the start-finish line. It was renamed ‘Virage Antony Noghès’ in honour of the man who organised the first
Monaco Grand Prix in 1929. A man of the track, he also helped to create the Monte Carlo Rally and even suggested the international adoption of the chequered flag to end races. The last word goes to Brazilian-born triple Formula One World Champion, Nelson Piquet. He was fond of saying that racing at Monaco was like trying to cycle round your living room and that a win here was worth two wins anywhere else. I doubt if anyone would argue with that. The 2016 Monaco Grand Prix is provisionally set for Sunday 29th May preceded by the Monaco Historic Grand Prix Sunday 15th May. Brmm! Brmm!
Tony Cooper travelled to France all the way by train from Norwich to Nice journeying to London Liverpool Street by Abellio Greater Anglia (www. abelliogreateranglia.co.uk). One-way advance tickets from Norwich start from just £9. Voyages-sncf looked after all his ticketing arrangements from London St Pancras to Nice. He travelled on Eurostar to connect with France’s highspeed rail service TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) at Lille for onward travel to Nice. Return fares (London to Nice), start at £117 standard class return. All prices are per person and subject to availability. For bookings visit www.voyagessncf.com or call 0844 848 5848. Personal callers are welcome at the Voyages-sncf Travel Centre, 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU. www.finecity.co.uk
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FINEPLACES
Chris Elliott (middle), marketing and fundraising manager of The Benjamin Foundation at Kelling Heath with the two co-sponsors Mark Durrant (left), operations manager at Kelling Heath and Paul Frost (right) operational support manager at Comms Supply.
The Benjamin Foundation - Butterfly Walk Spread your family’s wings at The Benjamin Foundation Butterfly Walk - Kelling Heath, Saturday 18 July
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orfolk charity, The Benjamin Foundation, is calling for people to register to take part in its annual charity fundraising event: The Butterfly Walk. The fun event, which is perfect for all the family, will take place on Saturday 18 July 2015 at Kelling Heath Holiday Park near Holt in North Norfolk. The walk can be started any time from 10am to 3pm and is suitable for adults, children and dogs too! The Butterfly Walk will be officially started at 10.00am on Saturday 18 July by former Norwich City football player Paul McVeigh. He will be joined by Tony Ing, The Benjamin Foundation’s new Chief Executive and the co-sponsors. The walk costs £5 for adults and £1 for children under 16 to take part. Fun, fundraising attractions on the day will include face painting and pond-dipping with Kelling Heath staff. There will also be quiz questions to solve along the walk. Refreshments will be on sale at the half way point and a BBQ will be available at the finish. Anyone interested in registering to take part in The Butterfly Walk should email chris.elliott@benjaminfoundation.co.uk. Alternatively you can come along on the day. Chris Elliott, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at The Benjamin Foundation, said: “The Butterfly Walk is great way for families to spend some time together and this year we are so lucky to have the wonderful countryside of Kelling Heath at our disposal. Last year
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more than 100 people took part and we raised over £2,500. We’re hoping that even more people will join in this year, helping us to raise lots of money to help vulnerable children, young people and families in Norfolk.” Headline sponsors for The Butterfly Walk 2015 are Kelling Heath Holiday Park and business telecoms provider Comms Supply. Mark Durrant, Operations Manager at Kelling Heath Holiday Park said: “We’re delighted to co-sponsor and host this year’s Butterfly Walk. The route at Kelling Heath is about two and a half miles of beautiful woodland with a path along the forest floor. People can enjoy this at their leisure and then finish up in our Village Square where the www.finecity.co.uk
FINEPLACES A family enjoying pond-dipping, which will be one of the attractions on The Butterfly Walk.
A young visitor with butterfly facepaint, Leah Reynolds age 10,
barbeque, face painting and other fun activities will be happening. Many of our team, and we’re hoping our holiday guests too, will be taking part.” Karl Alderton, Managing Director of Comms Supply, said: “We sponsored the first ever Butterfly Walk last year and are very pleased to be doing so again in 2015. The Benjamin Foundation is a charity close to our hearts; one that the team here at Comms Supply genuinely identifies with. It does great work supporting thousands of children, young people and families in Norfolk every year. We’re looking forward to taking part in the walk and helping to raise even more money this year.” www.finecity.co.uk
at last year’s event.
The Benjamin Foundation was founded by Richard and Vanessa Draper in memory of their son Ben who died aged just 17 years old. For almost 21 years the charity has been helping people across Norfolk to deal with some of the challenges that life throws at them; from ‘everyday’ problems such as finding affordable childcare or training, to heart-breaking issues like homelessness, bullying or abuse. Every service The Benjamin Foundation delivers is focused on providing hope, opportunity, stability and independence. For more information about The Benjamin Foundation, visit www.benjaminfoundation.co.uk. 2015 July | 19
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The Battle of Agincourt 600 years ago this summer…
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his summer marks the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt. Henry V landed in France in August 1415 with an army of 12,000 men. He firstly besieged the town of Harfleur which surrendered on 22 September. In October he fought the famous battle against a numerically superior French force – historians vary but it is usually assumed that he had 1500 men-
at-arms and 7000 long-bowmen while a contemporary historian put the number of the French at 50,000. He didn’t want to fight as he was trying to reach Calais so that his exhausted, hungry men could reach home. There was also a mass outbreak of dysentery amongst the ranks. However, the French blocked his path and he had no alternative but to give battle. He ordered that every person remain silent
on the night before battle on pain of losing an ear: this was the equivalent, in modern businessspeak, of making sure his men remained ‘focused.’ The long-bowmen were commanded by Sir Thomas Erpingham from Norwich and many of them had trained in Chapelfield Gardens. Sunday archery training was compulsory for all able-bodied men of the city at this time. In the battle the heavily-armed French soldiers considered themselves superior fighters and thought that the long-bowmen were of no consequence. The muddy conditions made movement very difficult as wave after wave of arrows, fired in an arc and high in the sky, descended onto
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the French army which was decimated. On many occasions, in the hand-to-hand fighting, all that an English soldier had to
The Erpingham Gate as you exit the West Door of the Cathedral. The arms of Sir Thomas are at the top
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A painting of King Henry V at Agincourt. He is wearing a quartered tunic with both the lions of England and the Fleur de Lys of France as he claimed the thrones of both nations
do was to push his opponent over into the boggy ground and they were so heavy that they were unable to get up again. The conditions also meant that the famous French cavalry could hardly charge- when they did they encountered sharp poles facing upwards from the ground and this kept the English footsoldier safe. Henry quickly gained several thousand prisoners but, afraid that they might decide to fight again, he had all but the most noble slaughtered – the reason for sparing these men was that a handsome ransom could be expected. It is estimated – impossible to be sure – that between 4,000 and 10,000 Frenchmen were killed, including many of the highest nobles. Maybe 1,600 of Henry’s men perished. There was one psychological blow for the French – an account by an English chaplain recounts a successful attack on the English baggage train during which one of Henry’s crowns – he had quite
a few – was taken. Following the victory, many considered Henry V to have been blessed by God and he himself has passed into English legend. Sir Thomas returned to Norwich a national hero and paid for the Erpingham Gate leading into the Cathedral. Look up to see a small stone statue of him in prayer, thanking God for having saved his life. On the other side you can see his coat of arms. He also started St Mary’s Church in the Norfolk village of Erpingham which was completed after his death. The Agincourt Carol was written to celebrate the victory. The lyrics of the chorus are: Then went hym forth, owre king comely, In Agincourt feld he faught manly; Throw grace of God most marvelsuly, He had both feld and victory
The Agincourt Carol, probably mid 15th century
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2015 July | 21
Dirty Dancing Expect to have ‘the time of your life’
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t wowed Norfolk audiences last time it was in town and now it’s back - Dirty Dancing hits the Norwich Theatre Royal stage for a two-week run from August 25 to September 5. The record-breaking sensation offers heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensual dancing as it tells the story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent spirits from different worlds who come together for the summer of their lives.
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Jessie Hart will be joining the record-breaking tour to star as the idealistic Baby Houseman. Jessie recently graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and has since played Agnes in the ITV drama Arthur and George. The chance to perform as Baby in Dirty Dancing was, she said, “Amazing!” “I can’t believe my luck in getting the role. I’m only 22 and am not a natural dancer, but Baby is the same, and I
think the audience likes to see a girl they can relate to. It’s a very challenging show for me physically, but the music is great and the iconic dance lift is a magical moment.” Lewis Kirk, who grew up between St Neots and Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, will be starring as Johnny Castle. He started his Dirty Dancing journey as a member of the 2014/15 touring company and was catapulted into the lead male role on the tour’s opening night when the original Johnny injured his ankle. Lewis went on to dance the part for seven weeks before returning to the ensemble, and is now back in the lead role again for the final leg of the tour.
He was previously seen on tour around the UK in Hairspray. He said: “The part of Johnny is one of the most iconic roles in popular theatre and it’s the biggest thing I have ever done. I feel very, very lucky.” Appearing as Baby’s mother, Marjorie Houseman, is Lori Haley Fox, who has a wealth of theatre experience including playing all three of the older female characters in Mamma Mia! – in the original London cast as the alternate Donna, as Rosie on Broadway and as Tanya in the US Tour, and she also had a part in the movie which starred Meryl Streep. Also in the cast is Claire Rogers as Penny Johnson,
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FINEARTS Georgina Castle as Lisa Houseman, James Coombes as Dr Jake Houseman, Colin Charles as Tito Suarez, Kane Verrall as Neil Kellerman, Michael Remick as Max Kellerman, Mark Faith as Mr Schumacher and Matthew Colthart as Billy Kostecki. Albey Brookes will also be joining the ensemble. Based on the 1987 film starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in the lead roles, the story is a coming-of-age drama set in 1963 which documents a teenage girl’s relationship with a dance instructor whom she encounters during her family’s summer vacation. Seventeen-year-old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman learns some major lessons in life, as well as a thing or two about dancing when she catches sight of Johnny Castle, the resort dance instructor. Her life changes forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady both on-stage and off with breath-taking consequences. The show features hit songs including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life. Many favourite original masters feature in the stage show, blending the movie soundtrack seamlessly with live performances by the cast. Some of these classic tracks include Cry To Me by the larger-than-life rhythm & blues singer Solomon Burke; the no.1 hit single Hey! Baby by Bruce Channel; and These Arms of Mine, Otis Redding’s first solo record. Other artists featured are Gene Chandler, The Chantels, The Drifters, Marvin Gaye, Lesley Gore, Mickey & Sylvia, The Surfaris, Doris Troy and Django Reinhardt, all who contributed to the creation of the original 1960s soundtrack. Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage was first performed in Sydney, Australia, in 2004, arriving in the West End in the UK in 2006. It enjoyed a hugely successful first UK tour in 2011, taking an unprecedented £42 million at theatres across the country with standing ovations and 5-star reviews, and smashing
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box office records in a number of regional theatres. In 2013, it returned to the West End and played at the Piccadilly Theatre in London until last February, prior to its second UK tour being launched in Bristol in March last year. The show is also enjoying huge success in Europe; after a recent sell-out season in Vienna, Austria, the show continues to tour in German speaking territories. A new Frenchlanguage production is also wowing audiences in France and has embarked on an arena tour of major French cities. It also recently reopened in Melbourne, prior to a new Australian tour marking the tenth anniversary of the original stage show. Produced by Karl Sydow and Joye Entertainment, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, and written by Eleanor Bergstein, scriptwriter of the phenomenally successful 1987 film, the production features the muchloved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film, with exciting extra scenes added in. The tantalising dance sequences and brand new choreography come alive on stage, set to the hits from an unforgettable soundtrack, making the show a truly extraordinary live experience. Suitable for 12+.
Listing: Dirty Dancing runs from Tuesday 25 August to Saturday 5 September. Suitable for 12+. Performances at 7.30pm Mon to Thurs, Wed 2 Sept 2.30pm, Fri 5pm & 8.30pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Tickets £8£48.50. Discounts for Groups - Bands A-D Tues-Thurs 1st week only. BOX OFFICE 01603 630000. For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
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FINEARTS moves, which are done in the show by Tom, and help him save the day. This stage show, which arrives in the city on September 20, is the latest chance to see the character who has proved incredibly popular with young viewers thanks to his TV adventures. As well as featuring exciting stories, the programme has also won praise for its work with the Dyspraxia Foundation. They worked with the creators on conceiving Tom’s moves in line with the kind of exercises used by occupational health experts when treating children with movement disorders. John Bultitude, of Norwich Theatre Royal, said: “We are very excited to bring the world of Treetopolis to the stage here. Some exciting adventures are in store as well as plenty of fun. Don’t miss the chance to join in all the excitement.”
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Tree Fu Tom Popular TV character comes to Norwich for new adventure
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ou have seen him saving the day on CBeebies. Now Tree Fu Tom is heading to Norwich Theatre Royal as part of his very first live tour.
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The hero, plus his friends Twigs and Ariela, find a dusty old map and decide it would be a good idea to follow it to see if they can track down some treasure. But the route is not easy as
the characters encounter some wild weather as well as the mischievous Mushas, who will be aiming to make trouble. It means the scene is set for an exciting adventure packed with fun, music and laughter aimed at all the family as the audience are taken into the world of Treetopolis. The younger people in the auditorium will also be encouraged to copy the Tree Fu
Tree Fu Tom, Sunday 20 September at 1pm and 3pm. Tickets £7-£14. Family ticket (four people including at least one adults in Bands A-D), £46. Under-ones Free. Discounts for Friends. To book, log onto www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000. Contact: John Bultitude, Norwich Theatre Royal senior communications officer, on 01603 598527 or j.bultitude@ theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
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Section of a fine bookshop in Asia
Spreading the Word I would guess that Norwich has a greater percentage of citizens who write than anywhere else. But if you have never written before, how do you start? What are the merits of different types of publishers? What about courses? And what might be the best style of writing for you? If you had a chat with somebody who had published a few things, it might go something like this… So, you want to be a writer? Yep! What kind? What kinds are there? Basically two – fiction or nonfiction. What’s that mean? 26 | July 2015
You either write stories or you write about things. Oh, I see. Well, I want whatever will make me rich and famous quickest! You’d be better off going to work for Tesco’s. Writing won’t
do either of those things for you. What about JK Rowling? There’s always an exception. But basically writing is very hard work. Well, why do it, then? There are lots of reasons people do it, and almost everyone will have a different emphasis. Let’s talk about nonfiction first. Maybe you have something interesting to say about a hobby, or horses, or lefthanded jig boring – that’s often how it starts. Just about everyone has an interest that others would like to know about. Another reason is that you may have a gift of telling how to do something – anything: cooking, aerobics, growing cucumbers from seed, whatever. This will probably interest a ‘niche’ publisher. How do I find one of those? There is an excellent book that lists most publishers, called the
Writer’s Yearbook. The library’s got it. It will tell you if a particular publishing house is interested in your subject and if they accept unsolicited submissions. Alternatively, nip into your local bookstore and look for books that are on your chosen subject. Often there will be a note inside
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Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? It took me years to write, will you take a look? Paperback writer, The Beatles asking for submissions or at the very least an email address where you can enquire. I thought of just sending something in to a publisher at random… Are you listening to anything I am saying? Oh, OK then. Say I do what you say and then get a dreaded
rejection letter? That would be hurtful. Sure is. But remember even JK Rowling got rejected a number of times and Decca records turned down the Beatles. It really helps if you can adopt an attitude of ‘professional detachment’ which means really not taking rejection too seriously but accepting it as
Recording ‘English English’ (see text) for a new book with Emily
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a part of the process. A good company will tell you why they don’t want your ‘oeuvre’ and may even suggest either changes or someone who might. How did you get started? I was very lucky because I got a break as a good friend of mine, who did his doctorate at UEA and is now a professor of
linguistics in Asia, was asked by a Taiwanese publisher to write a book helping students learn English. This is a HUGE market in Asia. Well, he said ‘No, but I’ve got a friend who could do it as a joint author. How about that?’ And they said ‘Yes’? Not really – they were none too happy about it but agreed to look
in southern Taiwan, Spring 2015
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I love the prose that descends on me like a golden shower of words. I love words that bang down upon me like falling rafters, or words that hiss past me like bullets. I love words which I see standing there unexpectedly, like poppies or blue cornflowers in a field. On words by Lodewijk Van Deijssell writing in the London Mercury, 1920 at any book we produced. Luckily they liked it and it sold well. That led to about 15 more. They are very high tech over in China and Taiwan, aren’t they? Sure are. One of the things that is a lot of fun is making a recording of the books. We use Prince Recording Studio in southern Taiwan. I do the ‘English English’ and we recruit others to do the rest. What do you mean? Well, it is generally accepted that there are 14 different main versions of the English language – English, American, Australian, South African, New Zealand English and so on. When recording we try to have a representative sample. And in the UK? That was much more difficult. I had meetings with a loads of people and seemed to be getting nowhere. Then out of the blue Halsgrove publishers asked me to write ‘Norwich’. I was lucky enough to meet ultratalented photographer, Daniel Tink, during that project and we’ve gone on to do a series of Norfolk-themed books together. I now am writing several books 28 | July 2015
on the two World Wars for Pen and Sword which feels good as I originally did my degree in History. Oh, yes, and one of new Sherlock Holmes stories. Why Sherlock Holmes. Why not do something completely original? Because the Sherlock Holmes stories are masterpieces. If I can get anywhere remotely close to the atmosphere created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle I am very happy. Writing new ones also helps my imagination. Like a lot of young kids, I was hooked before secondary school. And because I want to – this is a good example of writing because you want to: you should always follow your heart. And you write articles and stories for Fine City Magazine? Yes – erm, obviously. What’s all this about selfpublishing? Well, there are two main types – where you pay a fee for ‘services’ and help, and the completely free types like Kindle or Lulu. It can be fun and almost anyone who can use a computer can work out how to format and ‘publish’ the book. It’s usually ‘produce on demand’ so that no
stocks are kept. Also you can opt for a paperback version. Sounds perfect! Think a second! Firstly, it probably won’t see the inside of any bookstore. Second, there is absolutely no quality control if you go the completely free route and some of the stuff out there is pretty dire. Thirdly, you might sell a copy to Aunty Dora and your Mum and then none at all. What, absolutely none? That’s what some people find. Your precious book can sort of drop down into a massive crater and never resurface. There was a very funny article recently from a well-known national journalist who produced a self-published book, paid a lot for ‘additional services’ like a promotion video and custom cover (there are no shortage of people out there who will take your money – you can even buy fake reviews!) and sold none at all. What, absolutely none? Zilch. Zero. And he was LAUGHING about it? He had a cry first, but he managed turned the experience into a great piece of journalism so
all was not wasted. What about fiction? That’s quite a bit different. Generally this just comes out of your head although most of us are inspired by favourite authors, even if we do not realize it. Many people are amazed if they attend a writing course having assumed that they ‘have nothing to say’. Everyone has a story, absolutely everyone. Getting it onto paper is another thing but a good piece of advice I was given is imagine that you are talking or writing to a very good friend – don’t try and be this or that, but just tell the story simply. Is it best to set a specific time for writing each day or just to do it as you feel like it? There is no ‘best’. You need to try what works for you. www.finecity.co.uk
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Photographer Daniel Tink (left) and Stephen Browning signing books in Norwich Cathedral
Is getting published the same as for non-fiction? It’s a little bit different as it is probably more difficult to ‘get a break’ while writing fiction although Norwich has a number of specialist smaller presses who will take a look at your work. Poetry can be hard to have accepted but you can always try the local press, although of course you won’t get paid. What about agents? Opinions vary, but agents can be very useful as they can have an overview of the publishing industry that a writer does not, simply because it’s their job. They may well be able to place your work and get you a good deal. Again do some research and have a think if an agent is for you. I thought all publishing www.finecity.co.uk
contracts were the same, so what is the point of professional help here? Absolutely not! They do tend to be the same in the respect that any contract you are offered will be several pages long and sometimes consisting, to the newbie, of what seems to be impenetrable gobble-de-gook. But somewhere in there will be the percentage the writer gets and what the publisher will keep. These vary enormously so it really is best to have a friend who is good at legalese to take a look for you. Many people, quite understandably, are so thrilled to have a ‘deal’ that they will sign almost anything! What about writers’ groups? Well, this depends entirely on the individual. Writers can tend
to be lonely creatures and some I know really value the friendship they find in these groups. Others are completely the opposite and say they only produce their best work when they are left to themselves. Undoubtedly, groups like the Norwich Writers’ Circle, often featured in this magazine, provide a wonderful programme of events, including workshops and talks by the country’s top writers like DJ Taylor and the professors at the world-renowned UEA School of Creative Writing, and all at a very economical price – just a few pounds each session. Again, you need to go along to see if this kind of group is for you. What about writing courses? Yes, again good if you like to work in a group and share your
stuff. But be careful, though, as they can be incredibly expensive – a short course can cost over £1000. I think it makes sense to first go along to an evening with the Norwich Writers’ Circle – that will cost you £4. Then see how you go. Any final words for me? Yep. Write what you want, how you want, when you want. Write from your heart. Cheers, then. I think I’ll give it a go. www.facebook.com/ stevebrowningbooks
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Francis Bacon Fine City arts correspondent Tony Cooper visits Francis Bacon and the Masters exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre
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rt lovers - particularly those living in Norfolk and Norwich - have a lot to thank the grocery trade for inasmuch as the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia was established when Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury generously donated their art collection to the university in 1973. And Sir Robert also had the foresight to commission the rising star of British architecture Norman Foster to design a building to house the collection that he and his wife had gathered over four decades of collecting worldwide. In their quest for artwork they sourced work both from major European artists as well as art and antiquities from different periods and cultures
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around the world. The SCVA (now a Grade II listed building) opened five years after their bequest. Francis Bacon, I guess, had a lot to thank the grocery trade for, too, as Robert and Lisa Sainsbury were important early patrons of the artist and financially helped him while he struggled in his early days. They purchased their first Bacon painting, Study for a Nude, in 1953, then went on to acquire a dozen more canvases while commissioning their portraits from him. Therefore, the 13 Bacon paintings in the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection (which includes the portraits of Robert and Lisa Sainsbury) form the nucleus of works in SCVA’s current exhibition, Francis Bacon and the Masters, which should
have the Unthank Glitterati flocking to the Sainsbury Centre in their droves. However, more than 30 paintings by Bacon are included in the exhibition (ending towards the end of this month) first seen at the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, marking the culmination of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the Hermitage concluding with the UK/Russia Year of Culture. Other important loans come from public and private collections from across Britain and Ireland while the Old Masters from the Hermitage (the first time that they have been seen in the UK) include masterpieces by Velázquez, Rodin, Michelangelo, Picasso, Bernini, Cézanne, Titian, Matisse and Van Gogh as well as superb examples of antique Greek, Roman and Egyptian sculpture. But what caught my eye time and time again was André Derain’s Portrait of an Unknown Man Reading a Newspaper while Rembrandt’s Portrait of an Old Man gazed out to me in an inquiring and inquisitive manner. There’s an interesting handful of letters, too, from Bacon to Sir Robert (whom he affectionately called ‘Bob’) asking for financial help. One also gains insight into the mental anguish that Bacon suffered in trying to get started on
a painting let alone finishing one. Bacon to Sir Robert (December 1955): Dear Bob, I’m in rather bad money difficulties for the next 3 months and I’m wondering if you could possibly lend me £400 until the beginning of April when I could repay you. I entirely understand if you cannot do this and I hate asking you. The trouble is that the work has not been coming off in the sense that I have not been able to finish things but I feel it is really getting better but in the meantime I have got terribly into debt. I could repay you in April without fail. It has been so good of Lisa to come and sit so often. I feel terribly depressed that the portrait has not come off but I would like to make another attempt after Christmas if she has the time. Best wishes! Yours Francis Six months later (June 1956) he wrote to Sir Robert once again asking for help: My dear Bob! I hope you will forgive me for bothering you at this time but I have been in a bad way mentally and physically for the last few months and I simply cannot work and I feel the only hope is to try and get away for a few months - and perhaps if I get away I shall be able to start working again. Could you possibly lend me £450 for a few months? It sounds www.finecity.co.uk
FINEARTS a lot but I have an enormous bill for painting materials which I hope to pay before I go about the £150 and the remaining money I could live on while I am trying to work for the show in Paris. I want to do the series on Van Gogh and a series of nudes but I feel I shall never work until I can get away from here. I have not told Erica (Erica Brausen, director of the Hanover Gallery) I have written to you. She is very annoyed with me as I do not produce any pictures for her but I simply cannot. If you could possibly manage this it would be a godsend to me. My very best wishes to you both! Yours Francis On a lighter note, Bacon approved of the Sainsbury Centre wholeheartedly in this letter to Sir Robert (May 1978) Dear Bob! I went to Norwich last week and saw your magnificent collection of sculptures. I think it has been superbly shown and the building is also really magnificent. It is hardly possible to believe the same architect was concerned with Beaubourg (referring to Centre Georges Pompidou in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris near Les Halles) which to me is a mess. You and Lisa have really made a wonderful gift to the nation. With all very best wishes to you both! Yours Francis (Bacon, of course, was wrong (or confused) about the architect of the Pompidou. The person responsible was, in fact, Richard Rogers, who actually set up an architectural practice with Foster in 1963 following their meeting at
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Yale University. A brief partnership, it lasted a mere four years.) A self-taught artist, Bacon was a good friend of Norwichborn artist Michael Andrews (he included Bacon in one of his finest works, The Colony Room) and with Andrews he was part of a group that fellow-artist and American-born painter RB Kitaj termed the ‘School of London’ in the catalogue of an exhibition staged at London’s Hayward Gallery in 1976 when minimalism and conceptualism were high fashion. Since then, the term has been used in referring to this group who continued to practice forms of figurative work in the face of the avant-garde establishment. Other key artists associated with the group included Lucian Freud, David Hockney (though he actually lived in America), Frank Auerbach and Leon Kossoff. As minimal and conceptual art began to fade in the late 1970s, a new generation of figurative painters/sculptors began to appear who took a renewed interest in the work of the school. Bacon’s obsession with the art of the past is brought fully into focus in the exhibition showing the influence that past masters had on him. Many of Bacon’s works are juxtaposed with masterpieces by some of the greatest painters/sculptors you can think of highlighting and exploring Bacon’s working methods and ideas as Professor Paul Greenhalgh (Director: SCVA) explains more fully: ‘Bacon felt intensely close to his painter forebears - the grand masters - and he endlessly made use of them in the search for his own language. Like Picasso, he was an eclectic Modernist, who took what he needed from the art of the past to make it the art of the present. This exhibition is about the use of the past by one of the greatest modern painters: the past re-interpreted and refigured in the psychologically tense, frenetic world of a man searching for meaning at the boundary edge of life.’ ‘I’m sure that I have been influenced by the fact that Michelangelo made the most
voluptuous male nudes in the plastic arts,’ Bacon commented. He was fascinated by sculpture and powerfully drawn to this ‘engineer’ of the High Renaissance and owned many books and catalogues of his sculpture and had no less than three copies of Friedrich Hartt’s The Drawings of Michelangelo in his library. The male nude was a principal subject for Bacon and he appropriated both classical sculptures and contemporary images of gymnasts and wrestlers, creating compositions of raw physicality and explicit sexuality. The exaggerated postures of Michelangelo’s figures echo throughout Bacon’s work. One sees this very clearly in a plaster cast made around 1884 of Michelangelo’s Crouching Boy taken from the original in the Hermitage. The work’s referenced in Bacon’s Two Figures in a Room as well as in Figures in a Landscape. Bacon was no doubt drawn to the bone structure and in particular to the spinal column that appears to be barely contained by the thinnest layer of skin. Bacon described the effect as a spine that ‘almost comes out of the skin altogether’. There’s also documentary and archive material of great interest such as Perry Ogden’s photographs of Bacon’s (one big hell of a mess) studio, palettes, books, catalogues and materials owned by the artist and loaned by Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, which acquired the artist’s studio and recreated it as a room for visitors to view.
(The gallery, by the way, is named after Sir Hugh Percy Lane best known for establishing Dublin’s Municipal Gallery of Modern Art (the first known public gallery of modern art in the world) and for his remarkable contribution to the visual arts in Ireland including The Lane Bequest. He died on board RMS Lusitania torpedoed by a German U-boat on 7th May 1915.) And as for Bacon’s concerns about money in his early days, he would have smiled at the thought that his Three Studies of Lucian Freud (whom he had a big fall-out in the late 1970s) went for just over 142 million dollars at a Christie’s auction in New York a couple of years ago. I wonder what ‘Bob’ would have thought? The creative team behind Francis Bacon and the Masters deserve a bow: guest curator Dr Thierry Morel (Director: UK Hermitage Foundation) responsible for Houghton Revisited 2014, Lisa Renne (State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg), Amanda Geitner (Chief Curator: SCVA) and Calvin Winner (Head of Collections: SCVA). Francis Bacon and the Masters run to Sunday 26th July. Admission: £12, concs £10.50, family ticket £32 www.scva.ac.uk Picture credits: Estate of Francis Bacon, The State Hermitage Museum, Tate Collection, The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.
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Cinemas City Special events at Cinema City this month include opera, rock, et al. Tony Cooper reports
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ne of the most popular operas in the world, Carmen - boasting a wonderful and tuneful score by Parisian-born composer Georges Bizet - scandalised its earliest audiences with its raw depiction of lust in 19th-century Seville. In English National Opera’s ‘live’ screening (Wednesday, 1st July, 7.30pm), the action’s full on with the battle of the sexes bitterly played out in and around the arena of a Spanish bullring. The scenario chronicles the story of the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who’s seduced by the wiles of the fiery gypsy girl, Carmen. José abandons his childhood sweetheart Micaela for her and deserts from his military duties but eventually loses Carmen’s shallow love to the 32 | July 2015
glamorous toreador, Escamillo. In a fit of jealous rage he kills her. The depictions of proletarian life, immorality and lawlessness, together with the tragic death of the main character on stage, broke new ground in French opera and, of course, proved highly controversial. ENO’s Carmen is followed by the Royal Opera House’s ‘live’ production of William Tell (Sunday, 5th July, 2.45pm) opening with what is widely regarded as one of the most exciting of all operatic overtures. Rossini’s final offering, the opera helped to lay the foundations of the genre of French grand opera that dominated European stages throughout the mid-19th century. The theme of the opera is liberty as exemplified in the struggle
against Austrian occupation led by the Swiss-born archer and patriot, William Tell. In the opera’s most famous scene, Tell shoots an apple from his son’s head, a feat that inspired his countrymen to revolt. The score’s one of Rossini’s most outstanding and is packed with glorious arias, choruses and ensembles. RoH music director, Antonio Pappano, conducts a brilliant cast headed by Gerald Finley (Tell), John Osborn (Arnold) and Malin Byström (Mathilde). The exciting young Italian director, Damiano Michieletto, makes his RoH début in a show which promises to be a spectacular and thoughtprovoking production. Roll up and get a front-row seat for this ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ reunion of The Grateful Dead in Fare Thee Well: 50 Years of Grateful Dead (Monday, 6th July, 6.30pm), being broadcast via satellite worldwide. This is the last time the band will ever play together. Captured live the night before broadcast at Chicago’s famed football
stadium, Soldier Field, this epic event takes place nearly 20 years to the day since the last Grateful Dead concert featuring Jerry Garcia. The four original members (Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir) will be joined by renowned musicians Trey Anastasio (Phish, Trey Anastasio Band), Jeff Chimenti (RatDog, The Dead, Furthur) and multiple-Grammy award winner, Bruce Hornsby. The ‘live’ National Theatre
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production of Everyman (Thursday, 16th July, 7pm; ‘encore’ performance Tuesday, 28th July, 1.30pm), centres upon the successful and popular Everyman riding high and handsome when Death comes calling. The stakes are high! He’s forced to abandon the life he has built and embarks on a last, frantic search to recruit a friend, anyone, to speak in his defence. But Death is close behind. Time is running out. One of the great primal, spiritual myths, Everyman asks whether it is only in death that we can understand our lives. A cornerstone of English drama since the 15th century, it now explodes on to the stage in a startling production with a text by Carol Ann Duffy (Britain’s Poet Laureate) and movement by the Venezuelan-born dancer/ choreographer, Javier De Frutos. The production contains depictions of recreational drug use and frequent uses of strong language. Glyndebourne Festival returns to the Big Screen with Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail - The Abduction from the Seraglio (Sunday, 19th July, 5pm), which is the composer’s take on the glittering Orient: a stirring tale of abduction, escape and forgiveness. Coming ‘live’ from Glyndebourne (the home of Mozart as far as England’s concerned) the opera’s where
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the 25-year-old composer is often said to have found his mature voice. Both a popular comedy and a compassionate Enlightenment drama, Die Entführung tells the story of one man’s attempt to rescue his beloved from the harem of a Turkish despot and his fall to the mercy of his nemesis. The opera’s East/West clash and its surprising resolution defy all stereotypes while striking a startlingly-contemporary chord. Directed by Glyndebourne favourite David McVicar (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Giulio Cesare) and conducted by Robin Ticciati (Glyndebourne’s young and dynamic music director) this new production features a stellar cast which includes Sally Matthews (Konstanze), Edgaras Montvidas (Belmonte), Tobias Kehrer (Osmin) and Mari Eriksmoen (Blonde). And the fiddler with the big round smile, André Rieu (affectionately known as ‘The King of Waltz’) brings his 2015 Maastricht Concert to the Big Screen (Sunday, 19th July, 2pm), performing in front of his home crowd in the medieval town of Maastricht in The Netherlands. As always, André is joined by the famous Johann Strauss Orchestra, his sopranos, tenors and some very special guests. The Maastricht concerts are André’s most popular offerings and this year’s concert is shaping up to be the biggest and most spectacular of them all. Jean Cocteau’s most celebrated film, Orphée (Monday, 20th July, 8.30pm), marries the
feature by:
Tony Cooper Writer tc@tony-cooper.co.uk
classical tale of his own personal mythology in the story of a poet caught between the real and the imagined. The film - introduced by film expert, Chris Rodden - is inspired by the exhibition Francis Bacon and the Masters now in its final weeks at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (UEA). It ends on 26th July. The Royal Shakespeare Company screens ‘live’ their new production of The Merchant of Venice on Wednesday, 22nd July, 7pm, with an ‘encore’ performance on Monday, 27th July, 2pm, directed by Polly Findlay, who last year directed the Elizabethan domestic tragedy, Arden of Faversham, to critical acclaim. The scenario’s set in the melting-pot of Venice. The currency is gold. With Venetian ships plying the globe, the city opens its arms to all-comers as long as they’re prepared to do business. There’s profit to be made. And when the gold’s flowing, all is well. But when a contract between Bassanio and Shylock is broken, simmering racial tensions boil over. A wronged father! A despised outsider! And Shylock looks to exact the ultimate price for a deal sealed in blood. On the eve of Norwich Pride (Friday, 24th July, 8.30pm) Cinema City will be screening Pride, directed by Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical), while extending a welcome to Mike Jackson (co-founder of Lesbians & Gays Support The Miners) for a post-screening Q&A hosted by Nick O’Brien, Chair of
Norwich Pride 2015. Based on a true story Pride depicts a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners’ strike in 1984 at the outset of what would become the Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners’ Campaign. The National Union of Mineworkers was reluctant to accept the group’s support due to the union’s public relations worries about being openly associated with a gay group, so the activists instead decided to take their donations directly to Onllwyn, a small mining village in Wales, resulting in an alliance between the two communities. The alliance was unlike any seen before but was successful. Norfolk-at-the-Pictures continues its celebration of the decades with David Lynch’s iconic series Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (Saturday, 25th July, 11pm) this year celebrating its quarter century and introduced the world to FBI agent Dale Cooper, Homecoming Queen Laura Palmer and the small town of Twin Peaks. From 9.30pm, Cinema City’s bar will be serving ‘Dale Cooper’ cocktails as well as coffee, doughnuts and cherry pie followed by the late-night screening of Lynch’s prequel to the TV series Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (15). Costumes and logs welcome! Grab some of the late-night action!
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What’s on at Maddermarket Here’s what Maddermarket Theatre has to offer this month What The Butler Saw Thu 25 Jun - Sat 04 Jul 7.30pm/2.30pm Matinee On 4th July Dr. Prentice, a psychiatric doctor in an exclusive, private clinic, is attempting to interview (and seduce) an attractive would-be secretary, Geraldine. Unwttingly surprised by his wife, he hides the girl. The affairs multiply as Mrs. Prentice, being seduced and blackmailed by young bellhop Nicholas Beckett, has promised him the secretarial post. When a government inspector arrives, chaos, underpants and cross-dressing lead the charge. The final tableau reveals “the missing parts of Winston Churchill” held aloft as the curtain falls. Tickets £8 - £12
Mad Red Theatre School Presents The Willow Pattern Tue 07 July 7.30pm ‘Out of stillness comes action’ The somewhat genteel associations of the willow-pattern design on ceramic are smashed and the timeless classic of a story is reinvented to engage young 34 | July 2015
actors and audiences alike. Earthy and spiritual, a beautiful love story with a bit of Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger in the mix, this is set to be a charming and really entertaining evening of theatre. Tickets £6.00 (£5.00 Concessions)
The Tommy Cooper Show Wed 08 Jul - Thu 09 Jul 7.30pm 8th And 9th/ 2.30pm 9th The Tommy Cooper Show features West End star Daniel Taylor as Tommy Cooper, in the knockout performance of the year. The show comes with a fabulous supporting cast, and all of your favourite jokes. Gareth Jones (formerly Gaz Top) stars as Miff Ferrie, along with Sharon Byatt as Gwen Cooper. Between the story, the gags and the magic, and Daniel’s incredible portrayal of showbusiness legend Tommy Cooper, this promises to be a very special show. This production has the blessing of Tommy’s estate, and his daughter Vicky. Tickets £14.00 (£12.00 Concession)
Chamber Orchestra Anglia - Lunchtime Concert Series 2015 Wed 08 July 1.15pm
“A BITE OF BACH FOR LUNCH” Bach Complete Works for Solo Cello and Violin Concert 1 Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major Performed at St. John the Baptist Church, Maddermarket, Norwich (next to the Theatre) A rare opportunity to hear the complete unaccompanied works by Bach performed by violinist Simon Smith (Artistic Director of Chamber Orchestra Anglia) and Katherine Jenkinson (Chamber Orchestra Anglia Principal Cellist). Enjoy a light lunch then stroll up to the beautiful and atmospheric Church of St. John the Baptist. Concert 2 is will be performed on 15th July at 1.15pm Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major Tickets include a light lunch at 12.30pm at the Redwell Maddermarket Bar at the Theatre. Look out for other concerts on the 9th and 16th September, 7th and 14th October. Tickets £9.00 (Including Light Lunch At 12.30pm)
An Audience With Gyles Brandreth Fri 10 July 7.30pm They say all political careers end in tears – in Gyles Brandreth’s case it’s tears of laughter as the author, broadcaster, former MP and government whip takes us on an hilarious roller-coaster ride through the corridors of power – from Buckingham Palace to the Kremlin, from the green benches of Westminster to the green rooms of the West End. With a cast-list that runs from Oscar Wilde to Elizabeth II this is a wickedly witty entertainment from an award-winning raconteur with unique tales to tell from his unlikely life in the theatre, television, journalism and politics. Gyles Brandreth’s career has ranged from being a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in John Major’s government to starring in the West End in his own award-winning musical, Zipp! Remembered for the colourful jumpers he wore on TV in the 1980s, his recent TV appearances include Have I Got News for You, QI, Room 101, Countdown and Celebrity Mastermind. In 2003 he was the subject of This Is Your Life. Currently he is a reporter with BBC1’s The One Show and a regular on Radio 4’s Just a Minute. He has written novels, children’s books and an acclaimed political diary, Breaking the Code, said, by The Times, to be ‘by far the best political diary of recent years, far more perceptive and revealing than Alan Clark’s.’ His latest bestsellers are two royal biographies - Charles & Camilla, Portrait of a Love Affair and Philip & Elizabeth,
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FINEARTS Portrait of a Marriage – and a series of Victorian murder mysteries featuring Oscar Wilde as the detective. According to Alexander McCall Smith, Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murders is ‘one of the most intelligent, amusing and entertaining books of the year. If Oscar Wilde himself had been asked to write this book he could not have done it any better.’ Tickets £18.50 (£15.00 The Times Newspaper Members Promotion)
sessions and gigs both in the UK and overseas, selling out venues up and down the country. However, this is much more than just a great band performing all the ‘Greatest Hits’ - it’s a theatrical insight into these two giants of rock, complete with special effects, onstage ‘artistic differences’ and even some audience participation! The band are genuine admirers of both Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin and with the accent firmly on entertainment, this show promises to be a night not to be missed, complete with Ritchie Blackmore’s Lute, Jimmy Page’s twin neck Guitar and Theremin, and a very special Violin Bow Solo! Come and experience the excitement of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin in one mesmerising show! Tickets £16.00
Fairy Tales By Matthew Trusler And Maya Koch Narrated By Actor Timothy West Purple Zeppelin Sat 11 July 7.30pm They blew the roof off last time they were here, so we couldn’t wait to have them back! Voted Best Tribute Act of 2012, Purple Zeppelin are proud to pay tribute to the two greatest Rock Bands of all time, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin – Together on the same bill for the very first time!!! Many years have passed since the last UK gigs from the classic line-ups of both bands. Whether you were lucky enough to have seen the originals live or not, Purple Zeppelin will take you back to the magic, the excitement and the sheer raw energy generated by those incredible musicians. In a “full on” two and a half hour show complete with costume changes for each band, you’ll hear more than 30 classic songs – basically THE BEST BITS, ALL OF THE TIME! Purple Zeppelin are four talented and versatile musicians with decades of playing between them, comprising thousands of www.finecity.co.uk
Sun 12 July 2.30pm ‘Fairy Tales’, an album devised by violinists Matthew Trusler and Maya Koch, was recently released on the Orchid label in aid of the Lenny Trusler Children’s Foundation. The recording features some of the greatest and most memorable of children’s literature: including works by Roald Dahl, Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Spike Milligan and AA Milne. New musical recordings also feature, such as the Cinderella Suite by Prokofiev, Children’s Corner by Debussy, Danse Macabre and The Swan by Saint-Saëns – music that will be loved by children and adults alike. Not one, but FOUR illustrious actors - Kenneth Branagh, Tom Conti, Simon Pegg and Clive Owen - have donated their services to the disc, as well as two of the UK’s best loved musicians – Matthew Trusler (violin) and Ashley Wass (piano). Matthew Trusler and Ashley Wass will be bringing this exciting project to the Maddermarket Theatre, with illustrious actor Timothy West narrating.
“This really is a lovely project, and I couldn’t be happier to be involved. I hope everyone will buy this album for all the children they know, and support the Lenny Trusler Children’s Foundation with their efforts to help very ill babies.” (Clive Owen, actor) “Fairy Tales has been put together purely out of a wish to make the most beautiful album we could for children and their parents to listen to over and over again. I hope that anyone who hears it will feel the amount of love that has gone into making it from all those who took part.” (Matthew Trusler, violin) Tickets Adults £21.00 Children £17.50
Norwich Jazz Club Simon Brown Trio Mon 13 July 8pm In The Redwell Bar Norwich Jazz Club has been established in the city as a place to hear great live jazz every Tuesday night since 1989. Our programme continues to feature jazz to suit a wide range of tastes, from mainstream through to the most exciting contemporary projects, featuring local, national and international artists alike. Why not come down to the Maddermarket Redwell bar and enjoy good music, great conversation with friends and a jam with the trio. Tickets £5 On The Door
Chamber Orchestra Anglia - Lunchtime Concert Series 2015 Wed 15 July 1.15pm “A BITE OF BACH FOR LUNCH” Bach Complete Works for Solo Cello and Violin Concert 2 Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major Performed at St. John the Baptist Church, Maddermarket, Norwich (next to the Theatre) A rare opportunity to hear the complete unaccompanied works by Bach performed by violinist Simon Smith (Artistic Director of Chamber Orchestra Anglia) and Katherine Jenkinson (Chamber Orchestra Anglia Principal Cellist). Enjoy a light lunch then stroll up to the beautiful and atmospheric Church of St. John the Baptist. Concert 1 is performed on the 8th July Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major Tickets include a light lunch at 12.30pm at the Redwell Maddermarket Bar at the Theatre. Look out for other concerts on the 9th and 16th September, 7th and 14th October. Tickets £9.00 (Includes Light Lunch)
The Great Gatsby Summer Social Includes Buffet And Summer Cocktail Sat 18 July 7.30pm Get all dressed up in your favourite 1920’s or Gaatsby themed attire and join us at the
Vintage And Retro Sale Rail Prices Under £50 Tue 14 July 4-6pm Tickets FOC 2015 July | 35
FINEARTS Maddermarket Theatre from 7.30pm. The best dressed will win a fantastic prize! You will be served a summer cocktail on arrival and a hog roast buffet served later in the evening. The Redwell bar will also be open till late! There will be music in the Redwell Maddermarket Bar and dancing in the Emmerson Studio Theatre. The Norwich Tango dance group (@ NorwichTango) will be there with 1920’s Tango music for you to dance to, and they will also give mini taster lessons to those that want to learn a few moves. No partner is necessary. So if you have always wanted to learn the tango, then come along! Tickets are only £10 for this great social event! Tickets are strictly limited so it is advised to book in advanced as you may be refused on the door. All funds raised will go towards the Maddermarket Theatre (Registered Charity). “I LIKE LARGE PARTIES.
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THEY’RE SO INTIMATE. AT SMALL PARTIES THERE ISN’T ANY PRIVACY” Tickets £10.00 (Include Buffet And Summer Cocktail)
Quartet Norwich Players Thu 23 Jul - Sat 01 Aug 7.30pm/2:30 Matinee Saturday 25th July/ 2:30 Matinee Saturday 1st August Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred
reside in a home for retired opera singers in Kent, England. Each year, on the tenth of October, there is a concert to celebrate Verdi’s birthday. Jean, who used to be married to Reggie, arrives at the home and disrupts their equilibrium. She still acts like a diva and refuses to sing. But the show must go on in this funny and poignant play by the author of Another Time, The Dresser and Interpreters. Quartet was made into a film in 2012 starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Bill Connolly, Michael Gambon, Pauline Collins, Gwyneth Jones, Andrew Sachs and Sheridan Smith. It was Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut. Tickets £8.00 - £12.00
Box Office Our box office is situated in the foyer area, opposite the coffee shop. Box Office opening hours Normal Open Hours Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm. On Show Days Monday to Saturday 10am - 7.30pm Sundays 5pm - 7.30pm Booking Tickets Tickets may be booked in person, by telephone or online. Box Office: 01603 620917 office@maddermarket.org www.maddermarket.co.uk
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OLD BUCKENHAM AIRSHOW The Old Buckenham Airshow reunites two stars of ‘Goldfinger’ after fifty years. 1st and 2nd August
Win free tickets to the Old Buckenham Airshow enter for you chance to win at www.FineCity.co.uk www.finecity.co.uk
2015 July | 37
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ld Buckenham Airfield is delighted to announce that one of the stars of it’s annual Airshow on the 1st and 2nd August has been confirmed as the helicopter used in the iconic final scenes of ‘Goldfinger’ as it transports a dirty bomb to Fort Knox. The helicopter was flown in the film by the character “Pussy Galore” played by the incomparable Honor Blackman. The Airfield is thrilled to further be able to announce that Ms. Blackman will also be in attendance over the weekend, and will once again take to the sky in the helicopter,
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recreating one of cinema’s most recognisable and iconic moments. Honor Blackman last saw the Hiller helicopter in 1963 whilst filming ‘Goldfinger’. The scenes shot of her piloting the helicopter, complete with the ‘atomic device’ designed to render the US gold reserves worthless, formed part of a film that turned the character of James Bond into a phenomenon and changed cinema forever. After ‘Goldfinger’ Honor Blackman flew to Hollywood to make Moment to Moment with the famous director, Randall Kleiser. She then returned to the UK to launch herself into a vast
realm of film and TV. She’s still a regular on the stage and TV. Her one woman show recently toured the UK to critical acclaim and she has recently been seen in the latest series of “You, Me & Them” with Anthony Head and Eve Myles. The Hiller has had a somewhat less glamorous career. Despite appearances in other films, most notably costarring alongside Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in ‘The VIP’s’, the helicopter was destined to spend 35 years in service before unceremoniously languishing in the back of a hangar. In 1999, however, a four-year restoration
project was started that saw the aircraft returned to service, and it has since appeared in numerous Bond related productions, as well as in ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘The Royal’. The restoration has seen the Hiller painted in the same livery used in ‘Goldfinger’ and in 2014 was the stand out star of the world-famous Freddie March Spirit of Aviation Display at the Goodwood Revival. At the Old Buckenham Airshow, the Hiller will once again take centre stage. Appearing in the flying displays on both days, as well as taking Honor Blackman for a ride after a gap of fifty years, the Airshow will be making the
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Prime Viewing Area
MAIN HANGAR (NO ACCESS)
most of her Bond connections. A special display including Aston Martin DB5’s will be created for the weekend, allowing visitors the chance to see an incredible piece of Hollywood history at close quarters and in suitable company. Airshow Organiser, Matt Main Map for Programme.indd 1
Wilkins “There can be no real doubt of the impact and lasting influence that ‘Goldfinger’ had on popular culture and we are ecstatic to be able to wind the clock back fifty years by reuniting two of its stars. Whilst the ‘Goldfinger’ helicopter has been
displayed at many prestigious events since her restoration, this will be the only occasion where you’ll see ‘Pussy Galore’ reunited with her helicopter, all within a specially created display celebrating one of the greatest films ever made.”
17/06/2015 09:51
This is not the first time that Old Buckenham has welcomed A list Hollywood stars such as Honor Blackman. The original Operations Officer was Jimmy Stewart and Walter Matthau served at the Airfield whilst it was active in wartime use as the home of the 453rd Bombardment Group from 1943 - 1945. In order to celebrate the indelible connection with the US, the theme of this year’s Airshow is ‘America’ and it will feature a weekend of celebrations of the United States. The Old Buckenham Airshow runs on the 1st and 2nd August 2015. In recent years, the Airshow has cemented its position as the largest in Norfolk and Suffolk and it was the only Airshow to appear in Country Life’s list of the 100 events that made up the ‘Greatest Summer Ever’ in 2012; a list that included events such as Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.
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2015 July | 39
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Wayland Agricultural Show Compete and win at your local Wayland Show – 2nd August 2015!
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he Wayland Agricultural Show returns to Norfolk on Sunday 2nd August 2015 and offers the chance for adults and children to take part in a wide range of traditional, friendly and fun competitions. A marquee devoted entirely to horticulture will be the hub for visitors wanting to test their skills in the home and garden categories. The adults classes include ‘Chutney’ , ‘Swiss Roll’ and ‘Tea Loaf’ cookery competitions while the craft
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section has prizes for quilted, knitted and crocheted items. The photo competition theme is ‘Flora and Fauna of the British Isles’. For children, there will be a brand new ‘ScareAnimal’ (rather than boring old Scarecrow!) Competition which will provide a chance for winners of two age group sections to both be awarded with a Cup and a cash prize. The ScareAnimal can be made from any material, or object, and the best thing of all, it’s free to enter! So are the ‘Children’s Sewing’ classes,
‘Decorated Wooden Spoon’ and, in the Cookery section, a Celebration Cake which you can decorate to your heart’s delight. Entering other competitions at the show costs just 50p per item and there are cash, or voucher prizes to be won for the first three places in each class. And, of course, there are the show’s major attraction, the Livestock competitions, with a variety of classes including, pigs, cattle, sheep and fur and feather. You can enter these too! A traditional agricultural show,
the Wayland Show is one not to miss this summer! Held at the Wayland Showground, Brandon Road, Watton. For more information on how to enter the competitions, visit www.waylandshow.com or follow @WaylandShow on twitter.
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Norwich Charity Motor Show & Family Fun Event Norfolk Show Ground. 15th & 16th August 10am to 4pm
T
he 8th Norwich Charity Motor Show & Family Fun Event, this year reverts back to its regular August slot at the Norfolk Showground, (Red Car Park East), on 15th & 16th . The annual show is organised and run by Wroxham & Hoveton Lions Club, on a non-profit making basis, with all proceeds this year, being distributed equally between the East Anglian Air Ambulance, EACH (East Anglian Childrens Hospice, Quidenham) and Lions Charity funds, which will enable the Club to support some of the smaller local deserving causes. To date the event has raised approximately £64,000 for various charitable causes. One of the criteria when planning the first show in 2008, was to make it an enjoyable experience for all the family and this philosophy has been the cornerstone for all the shows since. The move from the show’s original home at the `Norwich Rugby Club to the Norfolk Showground has provided additional space and gave the opportunity to make the show bigger and better with more attractions. Along with new cars from local dealerships, this year there is the added bonus of specialty cars from local manufacturers, under our “Made in Norfolk” banner. In addition to the new vehicles, there will also be a large number of classic cars as well as classic www.finecity.co.uk
buses and commercial vehicles, military vehicles and much more. Regular features will include craft and charity stalls, trade stands, live music, Police and Fire vehicles, children’s rides and amusements, magic shows and competitions, live auction and grand prize draw raffle. The everpopular Star Wars Characters will also be attending again. Various food outlets will provide a variety of refreshments. Because the Lions do not have any paid executives and donate their time feely, all proceeds from events such as this, after deduction of essential expenses, are donated to the causes supported. This is the only dedicated motor show in the area and has something for all the family. IT’S A GREAT DAY OUT FOR ALL AGES! Opening times are 10am to 4pm, both days. Admission is only £5.00 for Adults with Children under 14 and Parking Free. For full details go to www. norwichmotorshow.co.uk For more information contact Mike Clipston 01603 429389 / 07767810027 mikeandros@rockcakes. eclipse.co.uk If anyone is interested in becoming a Lion or finding out more on how we support local communities, please go to www.lions105ea.com
Registered Charity No. 280331
NORWICH
Featuring New & Classic Motor Vehicles Plus lots more to see & do for all the family
15th & 16th August 2015 10am to 4pm
Adults - £5.00, Children & Parking - Free
A GREAT DAY OUT FOR ALL AGES!
Red Car Park East
The Norfolk Showground, Norwich NR5 0TT For more information visit www.norwichmotorshow.co.uk
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NORFOLK ON A PLATE A celebration of the wonders of Fine Norfolk Food
feature by:
Steve Browning Writer @returningperson
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If you ask someone to name some famous Norfolk foods, they would probably not have any difficulty in coming up with Sugar Beet, maybe, or Turkeys, mustard or chocolate. If that someone was keen on history they may say ‘Cromer crabs, Yarmouth bloaters and Caistor dumplings.’ This is all true, and yet there is so much more to the story, too. Writer Stephen Browning and photographer Daniel Tink recently had the great good fortune to travel the county checking out some of our top food producers.
Finest topside of beef as roasted in Jane Cargill’s farmhouse
Aberdeen Angus Beef Our first visit is to Jane Cargill, who is a very busy lady. Daniel and I have come to talk to her and her daughter, Lesley-Anne, in her large farmhouse kitchen in Foxley Wood, and have just managed to catch her after another Farmers’ Market. ‘I do about 14 a month,’ says Jane, settling us down with mugs of steaming tea. ‘This last one was one of five in a row.’ And the farm? Who looks after that when she is away? ‘Well, there’s me and my partner, Terry, and Lesley Anne – Oh, and we employ
kitchen
someone to help with the cattle and other farm work.’ The farm seems huge and it is difficult to believe that one smallish family can accomplish so much. We have just come back from a tour of the magnificent Aberdeen Angus cows and bulls and it is these we have come principally to talk about. Daniel has taken some good pics –the day is bright blue, the grass a luscious green and the cattle very friendly, especially one small calf who attempts to lick the camera to bits and maybe apart from a magnificent beast which thinks www.finecity.co.uk
FINELIVING
Home-made jellies in Liz Joint’s kitchen
Daniel’s jeans taste delicious. Crabs, Lobsters And Herrings A memorable visit is to the seaside before dawn. There is something in the air at Cromer, maybe literally, that inspires, especially at 4.15 in the morning. We have come to watch the fishermen go out in the halflight under a glowering sky. In particular, we have come to meet up with Shawn Grey and Paul Daniels.The boats will probably go out about three miles today and be gone for four hours or www.finecity.co.uk
so. The sea is choppy and there is a blustery south west wind, but nothing really to prevent the tractors successfully manoeuvring the boats into the water. Shawn and Paul are part of the inshore fishing fleet which numbers about 14, not that they are all going out right now: just a couple at this minute – 4.26 am. Daniel and I watch as the little crab boat recedes choppily from view into the vast Norfolk sea, until it is lost altogether from sight. Some fishermen work all through the year nowadays, but most serious fishing starts
The prime Cromer crab
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FINELIVING in March. There are two types of pots used – the traditional pot from eons ago and the newer ‘parlour’ pots, so-named because a crab is enticed in and then falls into a separate parlour from which there is no escape. If you leave the traditional pots too long on the bottom of the ocean, the crabs will eventually work out how to escape. Each fisherman has his own preference. As regards timing, the traditional saying is that crabbing goes on until Wimbledon Tennis starts. Then lobsters replace the crabs for about six weeks and, thereafter, back to crabs again. The lobster price fluctuates wildly – at Christmas when there aren’t many about, they can fetch £28 a kilo but during Wimbledon, when everyone is catching them the cost to the shopper plummets to £3 –£4 a kilo. Kippers And Smokehouses It is possible that the kipper – a split and smoked herring – was invented by accident. A fisherman by the name of John Woodger had a massive catch of herring in Yarmouth in 1850. He sold some but, not knowing what to do with the rest, he hung them in a hut, kept arm by oak chippings and sawdust, for some days. And Lo! When he returned to sort out his catch, he found he had invented something new to eat. The bloater was subsequently ‘invented’ – this is much the same but the complete fish is smoked and also for a shorter time. A north Norfolk idea for cooking herring is to cut off the head, split open, and simmer for about seven/eight minutes: add lemon juice and butter - parsley butter is even better .Alternatively, wipe with goose fat (left over in the Victorian kitchen from your goose at Christmas) and griddle or hang above the kitchen fire. As a special treat, cover with boiling beer and leave for thirty minutes: serve with egg sauce and bread. From 1270 Great Yarmouth held a great forty-day Herring Fair, famous throughout the land. As late as 1890 Hewett’s Short Blue Fleet comprised 220 smacks and fish carriers. In 1913, on the verge of the Great War, the Norfolk coast had a record-breaking herring catch that sold, incredibly, for a million pounds. Cley Smokehouse is one of the few remaining smokehouses in the county. It smokes much sought-after kippers, eels, salmon, haddock, trout, duck, bacon, prawns etc. Daniel and I were privileged to visit and watch the smoking process, which goes back several hundred years. Take herring, for example. It would come in fresh from the sea, be washed, gutted and then smoked in huge stainless steel ovens on the premises. What you got depended on the way it was treated. A bloater? Well, that is a complete fish, smoked to produce a lighter ‘smoky’ flavour and extremely juicy. A kipper? That is spilt, gutted and put in the smoking oven and left until it is dry but still succulent. A Red Herring? Now you are talking! This is the same fish but smoked for three weeks until it turns a distinct orangey colour. It is not for the faint-hearted, but is much beloved by local beer drinkers, amongst others, as slices go wonderfully with the local ales. In particular, as it is very smoky-strong, another pint (and another) can legitimately be requested to quench the thirst. Bye-the-bye, this is where the term ‘a red herring’ comes from. If you, in everyday language, speak of a ‘red herring’, say, in a detective story, it alludes to something introduced to throw people off the scent. This, in turn, derives from hunting. A pack of hounds, chasing the hapless fox, could be confused by a few ‘red herrings’ thrown onto the trail, as the scent was overwhelmingly potent. It may be an old wives’ tale, but convicts in Victorian times, reputedly liked to throw police pursuers and their dogs, off the scent in this way, tho’ where they would have got them from is not at all clear… There is cold smoking and hot smoking. On the whole, with the former, the food would still need to be cooked; with the latter, it could be eaten straight away. Other foods have also been traditionally smoked – cheese, vegetables, plums and even teas.
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Shawn
All manner of produce is prepared in Norfolk – this is smoked salmon from Cley Smokehouse
here. Photo taken by The Queen Bee – with the green markings - can clearly be seen Daniel at Orchid Apiaries, Surlingham, Norfolk
The Village Clock Stands At Ten To Three/ And Is There Still Honey For Tea? We have come to Orchid Apiaries, run by Mike, and located in Surlingham, Norfolk. In addition to his hives in the garden, he has thirty apiaries scattered throughout Norfolk. A garden gate leading directly into the village churchyard with the striking octagonal church tower just a few yards further on. ‘Look, you can see the Queen, Daniel, ‘the one with the striking green markings.’ I keep my distance in my role as official camera case carrier – I can see a few bees resting on Daniel’s white suit. ‘When I was younger I got bitten by a bee,’ I try to explain, ‘and my hand came up like a football.’ Mike smiles: ‘That would have probably been a Bumble Bee and not www.finecity.co.uk
a honey bee,’ he says. ‘I am amazed that people get them mixed up.’ Discretion being the better part of valour, however, I stay where I am. So, how much honey does he produce in a year? ‘Maybe, in a good year, about ten tons. You have to be fit ‘cos you have to carry that at least three times before it sees a jar. We have not had a good honey crop since 2006: the past years have been poor.’ There are many different types of product – willow, ivy, heather, starflower, lime, to name a few. ‘People are completely different in their tastes. In London I might sell dozens of jars of ivy honey at a trade fair. In Norfolk, I might not sell any. Ivy is quite strong.’Any general trends, though? ‘Yes – over the last decade, folk have become much more discerning in eating generally and speciality honey with distinctive tastes have become much more popular. In London, I sell mostly strong flavoured honeys, but in Norfolk people are conditioned to bland tasting honey from the yellow fields of oil seed rape.’
different types of organic vegetables, and some fruit, for distribution to customers through his Organic Box Scheme. Peter comes out to meet Daniel and I as we walk up to his front door. He is smiling broadly and looks very fit, which is hardly surprising as he explains when we go inside for a welcome cup of tea on a coldish, lowering Norfolk late morning. ‘There’s just me and my Mum, Jenny - we grow, harvest and deliver hundreds of boxes a week.’ We ask when the yearly cycle starts. ‘Well, we start in the spring. First out of the ground are carrots and mixed salad leaves. Then, in the bean line we will start off with broad beans and early potatoes – varieties such as Rocket, Red Duke of York, Winston, Kestrel and we grow Sante as a late second crop along with some salad potatoes. Then the first Brassicas will be spring cabbage and calabrese – children will eat it if nothing else. Then purple-sprouting broccoli comes in March and finishes in late May as well as the whitesprouting type which is always popular. Late May we will get all the salad things coming in, and beetroot, spring onions. In the summer we grow courgettes, runner beans, and dwarf beans followed by peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Some form of lettuce crop and rocket is grown throughout, and leeks, too. Following on in autumn we crop sweetcorn, early squashes, cauliflowers – Italian cauliflower Romanesco - is incredibly popular – Black Kale, Red Kale, Green Kale, and Savoy cabbage. Then into sprouts, parsnips, swedes. Mid-winter we harvest Jerusalem artichokes and leeks.’ Talking Turkey Turkeys are not the most intelligent of God’s creatures. Decidedly dim, actually. ‘You can put up a bit of silver paper in a tree, and they will look at it all day,’ says Steve Childerhouse, owner of Great Grove Poultry in Attleborough, Norfolk. But what magnificent creatures! Daniel kneels down to take a pic of a fine male Woodland Bronze. The bird’s beautiful bronze feathers sparkle in the sunshine while his striking but slightly bizarre red and blue head jerks back and forth in an arrogant, self-important manner. The fleshy protuberance under the beak is called a wattle, whilst that hanging from his beak is known as a snood. He looks like he dates from the dawn of time - scientists think the ‘modern’ bird can be
Peter with a box of fresh produce
The Freshest Of Veggies Down a winding country lane, some six miles from Norwich, the Church of St Mary lets the visitor know that they have entered the tiny hamlet of Sisland, population 44. The church is a very unusual whitewashed building with a thatched roof, apparently built in 1761 on the site of the former church which was destroyed by lightening right in the middle of a summer Sunday service. It must have seemed like divine retribution, indeed, in that highly superstitious age, which may account for the great haste with which it seems to have been rebuilt using such extant bits and pieces of wall as were not too terribly charred. Inside it is beautifully cared for and is very important, being the only communal space in the hamlet. Peter Burgess lives directly across the road where he grows 65 www.finecity.co.uk
A magnificent male Woodland Bronze turkey
2015 July | 45
Pye Baker’s award-winning mince pies, cooling from the oven
Final touch! Shaking sugar onto the mince pies before they go
traced back at least a million years, which is much the same thing. At all events, he is king around here, strutting amongst hundreds of pure white hens. The din is indescribable. They have tiny little tufts for ears. If there is a brain in there it is surely scrambled by all the screeching. They are very curious, though. As we wander through Great Grove’s woodlands, hundreds of birds rush towards us, some from quite a long way off hurtling over in a comical side-to-side strut. Daniel is soon surrounded by a sea of white feathers and noise. These are the finest free range birds, left to wander at will in 35 acres of prime Norfolk woodland during the day with access to straw-filled barns at night. They will be processed when fully mature, which is between 24 and 27 weeks. I wonder which sizes are most popular. ‘The smaller ones, maybe 10 to 12 pounds, go quickly,’ says Steve. ‘Some, tho’, will grow to 35 pounds.’ Here is a recipe created exclusively for us by Steve Childerhouse: Crunchy Peanut Butter Turkey And Coconut Curry With Coriander Ingredients: 1 large onion, peeled and roughly chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled 2 tbsp rapeseed oil 2 tbsp balti paste 1 tbsp tomato puree 1 tbsp cumin 2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter 1 14ox can chopped tomatoes 46 | July 2015
in the oven
1 14oz can coconut milk Juice of 1 lime 3 tbsp fresh coriander 1 tbsp sultanas 8 fl oz turkey stock 24 oz cooked Totally Traditional Turkey, cut into chunks Method: 1. Put the onion and garlic in a processor and chop until almost mushy. In a wok or deep sauté pan, heat the oil and fry the onion mixture until it starts to brown, then stir in the balti paste, tomato puree and cumin and fry for a further minute. 2. Stir in the peanut butter and fry on a low heat until the oil begins to separate and the sauce has darkened. 3. Add the tomatoes, coconut milk, lime juice, 2 teaspoons of coriander, sultanas and stock and gently simmer for about 4. twenty minutes. Add the cooked turkey and simmer for five minutes or until hot and heated through. 5. Serve with rice, thick yogurt and sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon of coriander. Gorgeous Chutneys And Cordials Ebenezer Cottage is a lovely pink thatched cottage, dating from 1601, tucked away in the Norfolk village of Bunwell . As Daniel carefully manoeuvres the car down the crunchy gravel track towards the front of the cottage, a slight figure with a huge smile comes out to greet us. This is Liz Joint, rapidly gaining an enviable reputation for the finest Pickles, Preserves and Cordials in the county, and it is the lady we have come to see. www.finecity.co.uk
FINELIVING
Gooseberries bubble on Liz Joint’s stove
Grimsby’s Pain Au Chocolat before baking showing the fine layers of pastry – the same as is used for croissants
looking chap with his hair swept back in a ponytail and he welcomes Daniel and I with a big smile. We had previously met him and his partner, Sally, on the first day of the Bidwell’s Norfolk Food Festival in the Forum where they had a stall selling an array of their cakes, pastries and breads. It was first thing in the morning and business was so brisk that we arranged to return in a few hours when things might be a tad quieter. This was a mistake as, by the time we got back at about 2 pm, they had completely sold out of their day’s stock. As regards baking bread at home, Grimsby is adamant that there is nothing terribly hard about it. ‘We have just lost the idea of trying to make breads and pastries at home. I would love it if the people of Norfolk rediscovered the lost art of creative baking. If you make a mess getting down and floury, good on you. I remember when I was a kid and I got flour and things all over the kitchen floor, my Dad said ‘That’s fine, son – after all, that’s what kitchen floors are for!’’ Grimsby takes a deep breath and is about to impart the secret of a good croissant. I just wonder if he minds giving away his best secrets to us. ‘Not at all – all the best ideas are nicked anyway. Besides, if we can produce a better ‘baking culture’, then we will all be the winners.’ ‘So?’ ‘A fine croissant depends on the pastry which must be allowed to develop in its own time. You have to let it ferment, laminate, it must be turned, cooled down, relaxed, folded with butter and proved. It takes about two days.’ Very soon we shall have the treat of the Norfolk Food and Drink Festival which is rapidly becoming the finest food celebration in the land. All the above food producers will be there and, excitingly, also many new start-ups with ideas for better sustenance for every type of being on the earth. It really is an event that has something for every member of the family. Visit Daniel’s website www.scenicnorfolk.co.uk Visit Stephen’s website www.facebook.com/ stevebrowningbooks
As Liz guides us towards the open back door a lovely, fruity and rich aroma drifts out towards us. It is coming, as we soon realise, from a cauldron of gooseberries cooking on the stove, quietly emitting a regular splitter and splutter. ‘For my gooseberry jam’, says Liz. ‘My Grandmother’s recipe.’ Liz has always grown her own produce where possible. ‘I remember my grandfather having a huge vegetable plot and my grandmother cooking with all the vegetables and fruit he grew. Even after my grandmother died, my grandfather, in his seventies, made his own piccalilli from his own grown vegetables. I have a few very precious cookbooks from my grandmother which I treasure and have used as reference for all my produce and my prize possession is the old crock pot she used for pigeon casserole.’ Has she always been good at cooking? ‘No - at school I was a disaster at Domestic Science, as it was called in those days, and remember clearly the day I had to go home from school and tell my parents they needed to pay the school for three pudding basins that I had managed to break in one lesson !’ ‘So what are your main products now?’ I ask. ‘I do chutneys, pickles, jams, jellies, marmalades and cordials. I have also started to make a county mustard and some flavoured salts.’ And Liz’s favourite? ‘I have two. The crab apple jelly, which you have tasted, is one. The other is a garden mint cordial. It is simply fantastic mixed with sparkling water. Very refreshing.’ Perfect Croissants And Pastries Today is a special one because, before the day is out I am to learn the art of the croissant, courtesy of Grimsby who owns and runs Pye Bakers, just off the Aylsham Road in Norwich. He is a tall, healthy www.finecity.co.uk
Norfolk Food Heroes by Stephen Browning and Daniel Tink is published by Halsgrove at £14.99 and is available in all good bookshops, online and from the UK Library network 2015 July | 47
GENERAL FINE LIVING Spiritual Flow We had a last minute guest speaker at our recent Norwich festival who attracted a lot of attention, Lyon G. Zonamyari. Lyon is a professional name analyst and author of a book titled Name Reality. He is originally from East Anglia but now resides in the SW Caribbean. His work is based on ancient texts and methods used thousands of years ago by enlightened families to name their children for a prosperous, healthy and happy life. The system is not numerology but mathematics are used for some of the calculations to analyse names. This study comes with an impressive documented history file. Everybody who participated was amazed at the accuracy and depth of information this system revealed. I include here an introduction Lyon provided outlining some of the merits. The first two pages of his website tells the story in more detail and there is a forty minute TV interview recorded just last week, posted on his Face Book page, Lyon Zonamyari.
26 2015 48 | March July 2015
Your given documented names from birth create an energy blueprint, influencing your personality, your character, your virtues, vices and both your mental and physical health, for better or worse. More amazing, the second part of this system reveals how letters from each of your names rotate at predetermined years, influencing events and the way you live your life. Incredible, maybe, but true! Any one name for the most is good. Just as you can touch any one key on a piano and it will sound good. When you press two or more keys at the same time or play with two hands, it is important you press the right keys. If you press the right combination of keys, you produce beautiful music.
The sound of music produced by a piano can be documented with Sheet Music. The vibration produced by your names can be documented with Name Reality. What tune do you play? When you understand all of your names, if a negative part of your personality or certain letters bring negative events into your life, you can make advance plans. You can change, overcome or reduce these potential problems. When positive events are coming into your life this system helps you to know where and when to focus your time, your effort and resources to obtain the maximum results. This system will not tell you which lottery numbers to play. However, it will give you an accurate weather forecast. Knowing which year to carry an umbrella or take your sunglasses, will enhance the quality of your life.
For some, self-awareness is enough, enabling us to take better control of our lives with positive attitude and positive visualization, others decide to change their name. Changing just one name, the way you spell a name, or adding middle initials, can make a huge difference. Creating a positive name for a new-born can be a wonderful gift, a gift for life. The Laws of Attraction are real. Your names can help, hinder or halt your progress. Name Reality shows you how, why and what you can do. Visit www. namesdoctor.com Have a great summer and perhaps if you wish to meet Lyon he does have plans to attend all our events during July. Steve Hudson www.spiritualflowevents.com
If you press the wrong combination of keys, at best you are out of tune, or worst, you become a dreadful noise. Your names apply a similar action.
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FINELIVING
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2015 July | 49
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Come and visit our huge showroom at Aloe Farm - Mile Road - Winfarthing - IP22 2EZ Between Diss & Attleborough on the main B1077 - Look for our bright yellow sign! For mattress advise please call 01953 861177 Open Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 50 | July 2015
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Sound Sleep Beds Beds fit for a Queen At Sound Sleep we are forever evolving and working to ensure that our customers have the latest bed technology to chose from. Years ago, we were the first bed company to be offering high quality memory foam mattresses. Then we promoted the benefits of sleeping on natural products like latex. In 2013, Sound Sleep were the first to introduce Geltex; the newest mattress technology since memory foam. But with introduction of Staples Beds to our range, beds that have been handmade the same way for over 100 years, we now have the latest technology and the good old fashioned, tried and tested mattress technology too! Staples Beds are hand made in Cambridgeshire. The pocket springs used are of the highest quality, the fillings are the finest natural fillings; some of which are hand teased to give these mattresses a truly sumptuous feel. The tickings used to finish the mattresses are the finest luxury Belgian damasks. But the ultimate hand made element is the hand side stitching, the border of the mattresses are stitched by hand into the pocket springs to give added side support and ultimate luxury. Staples Beds were awarded a Royal Warrant in 1932 by King George V and this has been graciously renewed by each successive monarch since, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Our new Staples are available to try instore and are perfect for those wanting that luxuriously sumptuous night’s sleep, with a choice of divan base colours and matching headboards these beds, along with all our other models will fit perfectly in your bedroom. We are also proud to welcome back some of the new updated iconic Slumberland and Myers beds, all of which are also made in East Anglia. If you need comfort and luxury in your life, come down to Sound Sleep and have a chat with one of our friendly Mattress Specialists. All of our mattresses and divans carry the National Bed Federation’s ‘NBF Approved’ large tick logo, which means the manufacturer who made that bed has been independently audited to make sure they follow all the required procedures to produce safe, clean and hygienic mattresses. In short, that they are what they say they are. Currently there is an increasing mistrust among consumers about the products they are buying – particularly those where the contents are unseen and taken on trust, like beds and mattresses. The NBF is the UK trade association for British bed manufacturers. And to meet its new Code of Practice, member companies have had to go through rigorous and independent audits. “We wanted to ensure that our mark of approval really meant
something,” said Jessica Alexander, executive director of the NBF. Particularly important to anyone buying a new bed is its safety and the reassurance that the mattress meets strict British flammability regulations. If it doesn’t - and recent publicity on BBC’s ‘Fake Britain’ programme has highlighted the growing number of illegal mattresses being sold with counterfeit fire labels – then it could prove fatal if ignited. A non-compliant mattress can catch fire within two minutes and can release significant amounts of toxic fumes within three minutes, within six minutes, the room would be fully consumed with smoke and fire, the average response time for fire fighters in the UK is nine minutes. Less dramatic but still concerning are health and hygiene issues. We all want to think the nice new bed we are getting in to is clean and hygienic – and the NBF Approved logo means consumers can be sure that the bed they are buying comes from a manufacturer with all the right procedures in place to be sure it is just that. And lastly, we want to know that the mattress we are buying contains exactly what it says it does. Not to do so contravenes the Trades Descriptions Act – and again, the big tick logo means you can be assured the
product you are buying is as described. It’s an initiative that The Sleep Council both supports and endorses. Said spokesperson Lisa Artis: “This is great news for consumers and we would urge anyone buying a bed to look out for the NBF’s new mark of approval – it’s designed to keep people sleeping safe as well as sound.” Said Jessica Alexander: “For reputable manufacturers, the NBF Approved logo is merely confirmation that they are – and always have been - following all the right procedures. Unfortunately there are less scrupulous traders out there who are now selling products that can’t be trusted – and with a mattress it’s hard to know what you are buying. The new NBF Approved logo means people can buy a mattress in the certain knowledge that it is safe, clean and honest.” Sound Sleep backs the National Bed Federation’s new code of practice and are committed to supplying clean and safe products, so you can have a sound sleep knowing that your bed is fully compliant to UK laws and regulations. Feel free to visit us in store for more information. When you buy your next bed, make sure you look for the big tick! Sleep Safe. Sleep Sound. Sound Sleep. To keep up to date on all promotions and Sleep Council news follow us on twitter @ soundsleepbeds www.soundsleepbeds.co.uk www.bedfed.org.uk www.sleepcouncil.com
10 | July 2015 www.finecity.co.uk
www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk 2015 July | 51
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Exciting new Luxury Retirement Village in Norfolk
Woodgate Park in Swanton Morley, Dereham is a charming retirement village in the heart of the beautiful Norfolk countryside. A selection of spacious two-bedroom bungalows are complemented by a range of high quality facilities designed for comfort, enjoyment and peace of mind. Isn't it time you treated yourself to the retirement you so thoroughly deserve?
On-site GP Surgery | Caring Support | Landscaped Grounds | Unspoilt Views
Showroom Now Open! To view, please call to arrange an appointment.
To find out more call: 01362 620016 or visit: www.castlemeadowcare.co.uk 52 | July 2015
Woodgate Park Woodgate Road, Swanton Morley, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4NU
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ELDERLY FINE LIVING Castlemeadow Care The stress free retirement you deserve is the promise from the Woodgate Park Retirement Village at Swanton Morley, near Dereham. Spacious two bedroom bungalows are now available at this village style development which promotes independent living with care on hand if and when needed. The new bungalows build on the success of the first phase of Woodgate Park.
The retirement village is fully wheelchair accessible, and being in Swanton Morley village itself you will be able to take advantage of the many facilities it has to offer that include a traditional pub, general store, bakery and award winning butchers.
The unique retirement village development, brought to the mid Norfolk countryside by Castlemeadow Care, is designed to deliver peace of mind for its residents. The picturesque surroundings and traditionally designed bungalows are complemented by a range of top-quality services and facilities ranging from care support to GP medical care.
The aim at Woodgate Park Retirement Village is to ensure residents are offered just the right amount of support to help them live an active and enjoyable life, while enjoying safety, support and peace of mind.
Each bungalow has a generous open plan living space, underfloor heating, solar panels, kitchens and bathrooms designed for easy access and comfortable bedrooms with spacious fitted wardrobes. Each has patio doors leading to a private terrace and garden, all have views across the landscaped village gardens and several have garages available too. In this retirement village the exclusive Club House is the social hub, allowing residents to dine together when they choose, meet for coffee mornings or congregate for events and activities. There is a hair salon and nail bar on site if you need a little pampering plus an award winning GP Surgery with pharmacy. The village also has an on site care home, wi-fi in communal areas, fibre optic broadband available, a dedicated care and support service, domestic help and 24/7 nurse alarm call system. www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk www.finecity.co.uk
The village is within easy reach of many of Norfolk’s attractions from the shops, attractions, arts and history of Norwich to the beautiful mid and north Norfolk countryside, the stunning beaches and the Norfolk Broads with its scenic waterways and rare wildlife. For those individuals or couples who are considering downsizing or beginning to worry about coping with everyday tasks or their general well being, Woodgate Park may be the key to an enjoyable new chapter in their lives. In the words of Gwyneth, a retired pharmacist and a resident of Woodgate Park. “I wanted to be able to stay in my own home, feel safe and secure and be reassured that I could rely on trained staff when I needed it. Woodgate Park ticked all the boxes for me. As a bonus I have made new friends and enjoy the social activities that take place in the Club House. I have been recommending Woodgate Park to all my friends!” To find out more call: 01362 620016 or visit:www.castlemeadowcare. co.uk Woodgate Park, Woodgate Road, Swanton Morley, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4NU 2015 2015 July July || 33 53
The Style Show This month’s unsung hero for The Style Show makeover is Carol Hale who is one of the first members of Keeping Abreast. Each month we will be featuring a different member of Keeping Abreast as we lead up to Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.
K
eeping Abreast will be launching Breast Cancer Awareness month on 1st October at The Holiday Inn, Lancaster suite at 7pm, with The Style Show’s unique roadshow. In addition various other local businesses will be contributing to what will be an unusual and very different event. The Gallery Haircutters will be using their immense skills to style the models’ hair, plus offer free consultations to those attending, Bravissimo, John Lewis Bare Minerals, Your and Your Skin
54 | July 2015
will also be just some of those attending! Carol was first diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2005 and underwent a mastectomy in March 2005, with reconstruction in June 2007, with what she described as the fantastic Norfolk and Norwich team. One of the first ladies to join and support the group at this time, Carol is now the treasurer and a committee member. Carol offers her support every week in the Keeping Abreast office and volunteers whenever needed at events and shows. She has
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also taken to the catwalk at the Keeping Abreast Fashion shows! Carol was nominated by Tracey Burlingham, National Administration & Development Assistant, who felt Carol’s tireless support had been invaluable to the charity. Keeping Abreast was first formed in Norwich in 2007 by two patients Beverley Birritteri and Anna Beckingham and breast reconstruction nurse specialist Ruth Harcourt, after realising there was a huge need for support for women considering or undergoing breast
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reconstruction after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Since then the charity has grown and now has 5 groups across the country, with more developing every year. The head office in Norwich manages all of the groups, as well as a legion of dedicated volunteers who give up a huge amount of time to ensuring as many women as possible get the support they need. The charity is passionate about being able to offer women both advice and choice regarding their reconstruction, however there is a lot of emphasis on allowing
2015 July | 55
FINEFASHION women to feel like they have regained their femininity. Carol’s day begun with a visit to The Gallery Haircutters salon where her hair was trimmed and styled to lift the layers, creating more movement and introducing a soft curl, for a very glamorous look. Next, it was back to The Style Show’s new Style Studio in Norwich for a colour consultation and body styling, followed by makeup. Then the fun really began as Carol tried on a multitude of lovely outfits in the Style Lounge, finally deciding her favourite was an ice blue floaty summer top, teamed with navy trouser, perfect for her colouring and shape. Tickets for The Style Show on 1st October 2015 can be purchased through www. styleshow.co.uk For more information contact enquiries@styleshow.co.uk
56 | July 2015
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The Style Show is a unique Style Consultation and Ladies fashion experience situated on 115 City Road, Norwich, NR1 2HL. Visit for styling and private shopping in a comfortable relaxed setting. The team will take the time and trouble to understand your needs and then create outfits perfect for you.
For over 20years the Gallery Haircutters, situated on Waterloo Road in Norwich, have been a leading light for hairdressing in Norwich. Building a reputation both locally and nationally. Winning numerous hair fashion and customer service awards along the way. The salon is constantly striving to deliver up to date cutting and colouring techniques to create the best look for you, with their two in
salon colour specialists ready to advise and offer you a bespoke hair colour service , and a talented team of creative stylists available for any hair service you require, whether it’s a special night out, a wedding, prom or a new look, the team are there to inspire you. Their association with the Keeping Abreast charity has been a great partnership from the beginning and the fashion shows have been a great success for all involved and they are proud of how the organisation has grown. The salon sits on the outskirts of Norwich City centre, to make your salon visit a pleasurable experience they are very accessible with plenty of parking with their own private carpark. Please visit the Gallerys website at www.galleryhaircutters. com and join them on Facebook.
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2015 July | 57
EACH Cook for the nook! Cook for the nook; a new fundraising initiative to inspire beautiful baking, delicious dining and sumptuous socialising to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH) nook appeal! Cromer crab, Binham Blue and Colman’s Mustard are just some of Norfolk’s famous delicacies, and as a county full of fantastic fresh produce, EACH is encouraging the people of Norfolk to be inspired by food to raise funds. The EACH nook appeal needs to raise £10 million to increase and improve children’s palliative care and support services including building a new hospice ‘the nook’ to replace their current hospice in Quidenham, which is extremely restricted in its facilities and development. Get creative in the kitchen, be brave with the barbecue or
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tantalise the taste buds of your friends, family, colleagues and customers to raise vital funds for the nook appeal. Whether you’re a novice, an accomplished foodie or a professional – we want to inspire you to get involved!
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Cook for the nook menu of ideas: • Host a ‘cook for the nook’ ladybird tea party (contact us for a pack which
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includes a special nook recipe by Tim Kinnaird from BBC’s Masterchef) Make packed lunches or breakfast in bed for your parents – for a charge! Hold a teddy bear’s picnic with friends or at school Organise a community ‘cook for the nook’ BBQ or hog-roast Improve your culinary skills by organising a ‘cook for the nook’ cook
book sale and take the opportunity to learn new recipes • a movie and snack night with friends • a wine and chocolate tasting evening • Indulge your sweet tooth and organise a ‘cook for the nook’ pudding club • Celebrate the EACH colours with a purple and orange food day …and to indulge your
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competitive side… • Be inspired by Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood and organise your own ‘cook for the nook’ bake-off competition • Host a ‘cook for the nook’ themed ‘Come Dine with Me’ contest • Design a perfect dish competition – or the oddest! We need your creative ideas
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for ‘cook for the nook’, and the possibilities are endless, so please get in touch to let us know what you’re planning so we can support you in your efforts. Call 01953 666767, email norfolk@ each.org.uk or visit www.each. org.uk/the-nook/get-involved/ cook-for-the-nook We’re also hoping to inspire local cafés, pub, food shops and restaurants to embrace the ‘cook for the nook’ fundraising initiative and would love to hear from you.
2015 July | 59
North Norfolk Has Vacancy For Dog As Dog Inspector On Tourism Staff Team With North Norfolk annually sweeping the board at The Kennel Club’s “Be Dog Friendly” awards, Visit North Norfolk has decided to take its dog-friendly credentials more seriously and is advertising for a Dog Inspector to join its staff, of the canine variety. Visit North Norfolk will officially launch their charming corner of Britain as Dogs’ Own County in October of this year, with a host of new doggy treats on its tourism agenda. It is also creating a dog-friendly certification scheme, whereby businesses wanting an official “Bonefido” dog-friendly rating will need to pass the inspection criteria. Lucy Downing of Visit North Norfolk, together with its board of directors, felt that a dog would be better qualified to make this
judgment call, as she explains: “Be it a B&B, hotel, visitor attraction or shop, the only way we’re going to be able to test whether they really welcome dogs, rather than just saying they do, is by having a dog check them out. So we’re calling all canines with a taste for the good life to get in touch. The qualities we’re looking for in an inspector are a friendly temperament, plenty of patience and a nose for detail”. The dog chosen as inspector by Visit North Norfolk will get its very own desk at the office, a year’s supply of dog biscuits and a section on the Visit North Norfolk website. To apply, doggy applicants need to send a CV and personal statement to info@ visitnorthnorfolk.com by 31st August 2015.
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A Decade Of Dance Centre stage performing arts school presents 10 A centre of excellence for young performers from across Norfolk is set to mark its first decade with a celebratory show at Norwich Theatre Royal. The Dereham-based Centre Stage Performing Arts School will mark its ten years of success with the live performance on Sunday July 19 at 6pm. Talented pupils aged from three to 19 will take to the stage in a wide range of different set pieces to showcase their skills and talents. A number of alumni from the school will also make their return to help mark the anniversary. The school itself also wanted to move from their base in Mid-Norfolk to celebrate the milestone and will be taking to the Norwich Theatre Royal stage to celebrate a decade of dance and performing arts. John Bultitude, of Norwich Theatre Royal, said: “This will be a fantastic opportunity for www.finecity.co.uk
the school to celebrate their first ten years of success. They have built up a strong reputation for equipping students with performance skills and boosting their confidence. What better way to show their success than with this spectacular on-stage celebration?”
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Posh Plants A courtyard garden, an essential outside room… I have recently been involved in an exciting property redevelopment. Owned by Helen McDermott, it has been completely updated by a team of talented designers and craftsmen. This very individual and contemporary property is now on the market, a unique gem right in the centre of Holt. My brief was to transform the garden which extends along the full length of the rear of the single storey building. After a shed had been removed and old planting cleared away it was clear to see some changes could soon transform this space into a lovely “outside room”. A courtyard garden is much more than a small enclosed space. It will provide shelter, privacy and seclusion, somewhere to quietly relax, or, to party! The first challenge was how to deal with the unsightly view of various rooftops and ariels over the fence. To screen without encroaching on valuable garden space we planted a line of pleached hornbeams, ready grown on a frame. These provide an instant hedge, two and a half metres high, so along the length of the garden instant privacy is achieved. In time the hornbeams will fill out and an annual trim will 62 | July 2015
keep them neat and manageable. I have used these in many gardens and find the instant impact and “wow” factor is always loved by the client. The living area now opens with full bifold doors into the courtyard garden, maximising the visual impact from inside and making the garden appear much more spacious. Standing indoors with the bifold doors open, the garden has become part of the everyday living space. Not so much a garden, as an open air extension! Roof top mulberry trees planted in extra large pots create a ceiling of planting over a bar table. The sturdy table and stools create a lovely place to have breakfast with the sunday paper, then, in the evening, remove the table’s central section to reveal a hidden recessed trough which can be filled with ice to chill bottles of wine or beer! Planting near the table is soft and gentle, drifts of lavender, cosmos, allium Purple Sensation and rosemary give scent and colour. Planters filled with both white and cool blue hydrangeas add to the restful calm of the garden and a low box hedge gives a crisp definition to the beds. Further along the garden a rattan sofa and daybed offer total relaxation in dappled sunshine under a glade of large tactile acers and hostas. At the front an existing planted bed has been updated with tall panels of deep green ivy. Gold topiary spirals stand at the edge of the ivy and spires of delphiniums, lupins and lavenders give colour and scent. So, the garden now provides calm and tranquility…an oasis of green in the central hub of this busy Norfolk town! Maybe the property description should include a courtyard garden as an essential outside room!
Posh Plants
topiary, plants, shrubs and trees to hire or buy
Sue Huckle is the inspiration behind many award winning gardens, offering a professional and creative approach to the art and science of garden design. At Seven Acres Nursery we have a range of lovely plants and containers for sale, as well as our beautiful collection of large topiary plants available to hire for weddings, parties and your workplace!
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For more design and planting ideas contact… Sue Huckle Posh Plants Seven Acres Nursery East Tuddenham www.poshplants.com email: sue@poshplants.com 07703 347014 www.finecity.co.uk
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Norwich City Football Club Norwich City Football Club Partners with City College Norwich to Launch New Retail Apprenticeship Programme Canaries Official, the retail arm of Norwich City Football Club (NCFC) has launched a Retail Apprenticeship programme in partnership with City College Norwich (CCN) to provide over 16 year olds with the opportunity to gain an invaluable 18 months hands-on experience during their academic course at CCN. Mr Stephen Balmer-Walters, Head of Retail at NCFC has been the driving force behind creating this apprenticeship opportunity following an event within the College’s enterprising StartUp lounge which Mr Balmer-Walters attended. In an exciting opportunity to work together on an inaugural apprenticeship that will include retail and marketing, both NCFC and CCN are very excited to find the right person to participate in the apprenticeship. As a Retail Apprentice for www.finecity.co.uk
NCFC, the lucky person will be responsible for supporting the club’s first team by delivering a superior service to its internal and external customers, whilst driving sales and profit. Mr Balmer-Walters commented: “We are delighted to be able to offer a Retail Apprenticeship programme through the club. This is something that I was keen to bring alive and partnering with City College Norwich was a natural fit. “This is an incredible and exciting opportunity for someone who’s really keen to progress a career within the retail industry. To be able to offer this apprenticeship programme to young local students is so rewarding, and we’re looking forward to getting the right person on board here at the club.” The Retail Apprenticeship
will cover all aspects of retail, including stock control, buying and merchandising, stores and e-commerce, programmes and lotteries, as well as retail marketing. The apprentice, who will report into the Head of Retail, will also avidly build relationships with colleagues and suppliers. Mr Lauren Stroud, Business Advisor within Employer Partnerships at City College Norwich said: “It is with great pleasure that City College Norwich are entering into a partnership with Norwich City
Football Club for the delivery of its apprenticeship programme. “It was great to meet an employer who believed so passionately in developing their staff. We were delighted to create a hybrid apprenticeship to meet their needs and cannot wait to start finding the right candidate and get delivering. We hope we can develop a long standing relationship with the football club and have many more apprenticeships within Norwich City FC.”
2015 July | 63
Left to right, Cate May, Archie Osborne and Elfie Anema-Galpin.
Gresham’s Prep GoGoDragon gets ready for the Schools’ trail With over a 100 schools taking part in this year’s GoGoDragon Schools’ trail in Norwich, Gresham’s Prep in Holt, hosted a ‘Design the School Dragon’ competition to find the best designs for its own Gresham’s
GoGoDragon. Two Year 8 pupils had their entries selected and together with pupils at the school have recently completed the dragon’s design ready for the exhibition this summer. Zelia Holmes and Archie
Osborne’s Grasshopper based on Keith Haring designs were chosen as the winning entries, with Cate May and Elfie Anema-Galpin runners-up in the competition. Sophie Li-Rocchi, Head of Art at Gresham’s Prep said, “It has been very exciting to have our very own GoGoDragon to decorate for the Norwich art trail. It has captured the imagination of the whole school and everyone has
enjoyed watching Hopper come to life. The pupils have been inspired with some amazing designs and I am really proud of their creative efforts and interest. We can’t wait to see our dragon on display and look forward to having him return to live with us at the school in September.” Thanks to the Prep School Parents’ Association, a GoGoDragon was purchased for the school earlier this year and work to design the Dragon began this term. Hopper the Dragon is now finally finished, thanks to Zelia, Archie and all the pupils at the school. Hopper will now go on display in Norwich from 4th July until early September 2015. See if you can find him.....
Sam outside Gresham’s Chapel
National recognition for music scholar Sam Aldersey-Williams, a music scholar at Gresham’s School in Holt, has just won the Ludlow English Song Weekend Young Composer Competition 64 | July 2015
2015 in the 16-18 category. Sam had to compete against 70 other entrants to win this major national festival, which took place from 29th – 31st May.
As a finalist, Sam had the opportunity to work with the composer, Judith Bingham on his song, On the Grasshopper and Cricket, a setting of the sonnet by John Keats, which was then performed at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Shropshire. Sam is a student member of the Royal College of Organists
and earlier this year was also awarded the prestigious Saxton Noble Memorial prize for gaining the highest mark in Norfolk in his grade 7 music exams, on the Organ. He also enjoys jazz piano, plays trombone in the school brass ensemble and jazz group and studies singing.
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The Greek resistance in World War II is brought to life in the powerful new novel from Sunday Times bestseller Simon Scarrow. Norfolk resident Simon Scarrow, renowned for his novels on the Roman army and the Napoleonic wars has produced another unputdownable, thrilling adventure, but in a departure for Scarrow, this dramatic and atmospheric novel of war, betrayal and friendship is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Greek Ionian islands during World War II. Simon explains how he came to write this book, and what it’s about: “I visited the Ionian islands a few years ago and whilst on a boat trip to Ithaca I came across a plaque on a cliff above a small bay which said ‘Commemorating an attack on a German Eboat by Greek partisans.’ Throughout the trip I came across other stories of what had happened on these islands during WWII. www.finecity.co.uk
egnar ediw a ,gninru dna sag ,l sevots
It is easy to be impressed by the beauty of the Ionian Islands – they are a fabulous setting and it is so hard to imagine them as a war zone, and that was how my interest in the story began: a clash between the peaceful aspect of the present and what would have been dramatic events in the past. The novel is about three close friends, two young Greeks, Eleni and Andreas, and a German, Peter.” It is the story of what happens when war comes to the Greek Island they all love. It becomes a test of their friendship, and their patriotism.”
Available for download Hardback available from all good bookshops Signed copies from www.scarrow.co.uk
2015 July | 65
Access the benefits of training – for your business and for your employees New Anglia Growth Hub, which provides free faceto-face support for growing businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk, has engaged with over 3,200 firms over the past year, signposting and referring aspiring entrepreneurs to sources of support to help their businesses grow. Beverley Rayner is one of the ten business growth advisers and her area covers Norwich and North Norfolk. This month she highlights how developing your staff can bring benefits to your business. Plus there is a cash incentive to help with the costs of training. “Sometimes a skills or knowledge gap within the business can bring opportunities for an employee to learn and develop in their current role or move into a new one. Investment in the employee will often bring more value than simply bridging the gap. We know that employees are more likely to be engaged in your business if they feel appreciated. We are delighted to have access to the Employer Training Incentive Pilot (ETIP) available across Norfolk and Suffolk. It aims to encourage non-mandatory training by offering a 25% grant up to £1,000 per employee as long as the learner is over 19. The key criteria for eligibility is that the training is additional; in other words the training must help develop the business. In just a few months, over 350 66 | July 2015
applications have been made. One of my clients who has benefitted from the scheme is Real Time Reception, based in Cromer, who provide a virtual reception service incorporating a telephone answering service and online appointment booking. Managing Director Jennifer Spencer, who looks after a team of 11, has been approved for a grant of over £450 towards training her Office Manager in Level 3 First Line Management, starting in September.” Jennifer said: “This really helps our business because by training our staff effectively, we’ll be more productive and more efficient. The grant has made the training possible.” Bev adds: “Businesses are starting to feel more positive in terms of the economy. This offer just gives businesses a little boost and encourages them to engage in staff training now, rather than delay it. If you would like to find out how the New Anglia Growth Hub can support your business, don’t hesitate to call 0300 333 6536 or email growthhub@newanglia. co.uk and request a free appointment. We’re here to help.”
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Superhero Challenge Tuddenham Mill sponsors the Norfolk Superhero Challenge raising funds for the RNLI Lifeboats The Norfolk Superhero Challenge took place on Saturday 6th June where competitors participated in four ultimate challenges to raise money for the RNLI Lifeboats charity that saves lives at sea across the UK. Tuddenham Mill, boutique hotel and restaurant, was the main sponsor for the opening competition, the 1 mile swim event. The Norfolk Superhero www.finecity.co.uk
Challenge is a multiple-stage competition where both men and women test their endurance and strength in extreme disciplines, including a 1 mile swim, 4 mile kayak race, 45 mile cycle ride and finally 8 mile run across sand, mud and marsh. It’s an annual event and takes place in Burnham Overy Staithe on the Norfolk coast. This year Tuddenham Mill joined all the real life superheroes by sponsoring
the 1 mile open water swim from Gun Hill to the Quay at Burnham Overy Staithe with the incoming tide. The swimming race, sponsored by Tuddenham Mill, was won by Joe Wilson who completed the course in impressive 17.03 minutes. The event raised £55,000 in total towards the RNLI Lifeboats appeal to replace their retired Mersey Class lifeboat with a faster and safer Shannon
Class boat, which will enable more effective lifesaving. RNLI Lifeboats relies on public donations to continue running 236 life stations in the country and on average rescues 22 people a day. Tuddenham Mill was delighted to be part of the Norfolk Superhero Challenge and help RNLI Lifeboats get closer to £250,000 target needed for the new lifeboat. 2015 July | 67
Trinity Stained Glass Need to add a bit of character back into your home or just fancy a change to brighten and lighten a room or hallway? Here at TRinity STained GLass we have a range of reclaimed stained glass panels which can be restored and re sized to fit to your measurements. Not only are we recycling but introducing an original panel to fit the age of your home to add an attractive focal point of interest. Everything, from the design drawing, to cutting the glass,
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leading up and soldering the panel are all carried out at our workshop and showroom in NOrwich where we have been creating, re producing and repairing for over 20 years. We stock over 400 different types of coloured and clear textured glass - many used for restoration work and repairs. Trinity stained glass are open
to producing your own ideas as well. Although we have hundreds of designs for customers to look through. We often make designs customers have sketched down or brought a photo in where we have adapted it into a stained glass window or door panel. Also we thrive on customers who give us freedom to use our artistic license to design and create something unique to the customers needs. An ideal birthday, wedding or anniversary present for someone special that would last a lifetime stained glass for all budgets that can be designed to your exact
needs and measurements. If you want to make your own stained glass we sell all the tools, materials and glass you would need. Our starter kit packs start from £96 which would enable you to produce numerous projects from the included pattern and instruction book. Give us a call 01603 622099, visit our showroom on Ber street in norwich or email  trinitystainedglass@ btconnect.com where Trevor or Amanda will be happy to discuss your ideas or we can create some ideas together.
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Shades of Elegance The best in French Style Furniture in Norwich & Norfolk Shades of Elegance would like to offer an excellent value of high quality French style furniture and lighting. Ranging from beautiful French style bedroom furniture including French style beds, stylish chairs and unusual French and contemporary dinning furniture. Our products include exquiste ornate mirrors to suit any style of room. To give
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your home that glamourous glow view our beautiful range of contemporary and stunning chandeliers. We know our exclusive products will inspire you and your home. Feel free to order online, or call on 01603 460 777 if you have any queries.
2015 July | 71
Drivers Want Fundamental Features Not Frills The vast majority of British drivers want car manufacturers to go back to basics with less emphasis on extensive - and often expensive options. As manufacturers have trimmed costs, many car models now forgo once standard practical features like two reversing lights and a temperature gauge. However, an AA/Populus poll
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of 21,202 AA members shows that these basic features are more highly valued than so-called premium perks, like heated seats or rain-sensing wipers. While customers benefit from the savings that manufacturers
can pass on by removing some of these features, around 86% of motorists polled feel it’s gone too far on some models and they want more practicality instead of frills. Despite the British weather, heated seats is the feature most respondents would happily do without on a modern car, while an electric driver’s window was considered the least dispensable. Also on the list of least-loved luxuries are electric parking brakes, electric seat adjustments, high intensity discharge headlights, rain-sensing wipers and built-in sat navs. More than half of drivers quizzed think cruise control, engine stop-start systems and automatic headlights are essential while 37% of motorists want to hang on to parking sensors. The survey results also show that women are more willing
than men to sacrifice their car’s creature comforts and gizmos. Men are less likely to part with heated seats, air-conditioning, parking sensors, electric wing mirrors, electric passenger windows, cruise control and a trip computer; while women place greater importance on a heated windscreen, electric parking brake, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights. The AA’s Andy Smith says: “While customers benefit from the savings that the manufacturers can pass on by removing some of these features, our members tell us it’s gone too far on some models and they want practical over frills. “Having two reversing lights makes it easier to reverse down a dim narrow lane, for example, and a temperature gauge can help indicate when the engine is struggling, say when towing or
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crawling up a hill in heavy traffic.” Many modern cars have advanced engine management and other warning systems that alert the driver to problems with the vehicle, for example, oil level, faulty light bulbs and tyre pressure sensors. More than a quarter of motorists quizzed say they would carry out maintenance and safety checks less frequently if their car had such systems, while around 21% show a degree of distrust saying they would actually make more regular checks. But although looking under the bonnet can be a baffling experience for many, drivers shouldn’t be put off, as the basics such as checking oil and coolant levels, tyre tread and pressures haven’t changed despite the technological advances. Andy adds: “Drivers should bear in mind that while these
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systems are very useful they are no substitute for regular servicing and maintenance checks, which we estimate could prevent up to half of breakdowns.” Meanwhile further research by the AA reveals that while poorer drivers may not have so much to spend on cars they keep them cleaner than better-off drivers. Around one in 10 drivers from blue collar, part-time, unemployed and pensioner backgrounds wash their car once a week while an average just six per cent of motorists from professional and managerial backgrounds bother to give their cars a clean on a weekly basis. The gap grows wider among those who wash their cars once a fortnight: an average of 16% among lower-income groups compared to 11.5% for wealthier car owners, while professionals and managers prefer to clean
their cars every couple of months. AA president Edmund King says: “Keeping your car clean, particularly windows, lights and number-plates, can keep you on the right side of the law, and regular cleaning can help preserve the value of the car too,
by getting rid of salt and other corrosive substances. “Hopefully the three per cent of drivers or six per cent of women who never or rarely wash their cars, do at least keep their cars legal by cleaning windscreen, lights and number-plates.”
2015 July | 73
FINEARTS motors
Electric Car Revolution Off To Slow Start They may represent our motoring future but only two per cent of people are likely to buy an electric vehicle in the next five years, according to a new survey. Despite Department of Transport claims that 2011 would be ‘the year of the electric car’ - offering hefty subsidies and advising councils to plan for an electric future - just 1,000 of the battery-powered vehicles were sold in the UK last year. And when specialist car insurance broker Adrian Flux asked 1,000 of its customers how likely they were to buy an EV in the next five years, just two per cent were seriously considering swapping the petrol pump for the charging point. Nearly 70% ruled out a switch entirely, with the remaining 28%t firmly in the wait and see camp. While most of us agree that petrol and diesel-powered cars are unsustainable in the long term, it seems few of us are
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prepared to buy a car we feel has a high purchase price, limited range, long recharge times and questionable resale value. However, the electric revolution is still charging forward despite the lukewarm appetite of Brits. Last month, 60 charging points were opened in Oxford, making the city the EV capital of Europe with one charging point for every 2,400 people, the best ratio in the EU. London has 654 charging points - the most in Europe - and British cities dominate the top 10 list of electric-friendly locations in the continent. New charging stations will recharge an electric car battery in four hours, slashing previous charging times by 50%, and future charging points could cut
this time to just 20 minutes. There will also be almost 30 new models of electric or hybrid car brought in the next 18 months, with BMW preparing to launch its first “all electric” cars, the i3 and the i8, Ford unveiling the Focus Electric and Vauxhall premiering the Ampera, whose small petrol-fuelled generator extends the car range to 360 miles. Expense is still an issue, however, even with the £5,000 government grants available for buyers - the Ampera will cost £29,995, but drivers will benefit from considerably lower running costs. Industry figures suggest that by 2020, five per cent of vehicles on the road could be electric. Gerry Bucke, of Adrian Flux Insurance Services, says that people’s reluctance to switch to electric is often related to the perceived “hassle” of owning a vehicle which relies on charging. He says: “People are worried that they can’t just ‘drive and go’ and
that they will have to plan ahead depending on how far they plan to travel each day and the range of their car. “Presently, a domestic charge at 240 volts on a 13 amp socket could take between six and 10 hours to fully charge an electric car, although this will change significantly as technology improves. “Although the majority of people’s car journeys are short, they still want to know that - if they choose - they could travel long distances in their car without having to worry about finding a charging station. There are options available, such as rangeextended electric cars with petrol or diesel generators to provide extra electricity and hybrid cars, which recover energy from the movement and braking of the car. “In insurance terms, insurers still have reservations about electric cars mainly based on their cost and the disposal of the batteries, which can push up premiums.”
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2015 July | 75
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