FineCity - October 2014

ISSUE 35- 2014 | PRICELESS

Exclusive interview with the Barefoot Entrepreneur PETE GOODRUM speaks to Robert Ashton (page 52)

Author STEPHEN BROWNING takes a look at the Peddars Way (page 6), and also takes a stroll around the UEA’s Parkland (page 10), with glorious photography

by DANIEL TINK

Teenager Adam Hatfield speaks about his racing career (page 74)

Award Winning Brewery Woodfordes and their Beer Somelier Bruce Ash (page 66)

A plethora of entertainment from

Joseph & His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (page 34) to Memories of

Test Match Special (page 47)

FINE HOMES

FINE ART

FINE PEOPLE

FINE ENTERTAINMENT FOR NORWICH

celebrating

30

YEARS

of excellence

We provide an excellent learning environment and unrivalled student support, with £4m invested in new facilities. out why Come along and find rforming we are Nor folk’s top pe Sixth Form College.

Open Evening Open evening is an opportunity to meet staff, students and see our facilities.

We have a wide range of courses and enrichment activities within a specialist sixth form college where we are large enough to be able to write the timetable around student choices but small enough that we know who our students are.

You can soak up some of the atmosphere at Paston, with the mixture of historic surroundings and modern facilities. Be part of our success.

Tuesday 13th November 2014 6pm til 8.30pm

A-Level Taster Day

Open Day

Monday 27th October 2014

Saturday 11th October 2014

9.00am - 4.00pm

9.30am - 12.30pm

Be a Paston Student for the day and try out A-level and BTEC National Diploma courses.

A chance to meet students, staff and see our facilities

Highly recommended by those who have come to previous taster days. Free transport will bring you to and from the college.

BOOKNG ESSENTIAL - visit paston.ac.uk

Paston Sixth Form College

Find out more at paston.ac.uk

proudly produces

and

“Your Community Magazine”

ISSUE 35

@FineCityMag @Dispatch_Mag

FineCityMag DispatchMag

Tel: 01953 456789 www.FineCity.co.uk www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk Editor: Jonathan Horswell Jonathan@FineCity.co.uk

ROBERT ASHTON

Advertising: Harry@FineCity.co.uk

Exclusive interview

by Pete Goodrum

Editorial:

Find out more on Page 52

Design:

editorial@FineCity.co.uk

design@FineCity.co.uk

Address:

Cover image: Daisy Bundock (www.model-folio.eu/daisybundock)

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 & Daniel Tink,

Queens House, Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk. NR17 2AE.

© FineCity Magazine Disclaimer: No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part,

Collect your free copy of FineCity Magazine from any of our partner locations:

without the prior written permission of the Publisher.

The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate, but the Publisher can not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Whilst reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements the Publisher will not accept any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will, however, immediately investigate any written complaints.

The Publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

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Learning Made Easy Qualified Education Ltd are all about learning. Based in the heart of Norwich, they provide a fresh and dynamic approach to vocational education and training, aiming to be flexible and responsive to the needs of workplaces and learners The company has grown dramatically since opening its doors on Magdalen Street in 2013. The team have worked with over 200 successful learners in the Norfolk and Suffolk areas, with 25% of learners returning to study two or more qualifications. In a recent survey, learners quoted the friendly, supportive and relaxed atmosphere as one of the main reasons for their own success, with over 30% gaining employment or receiving a promotion as a direct result of their qualifications.

After spending two years immersed in the language and culture of Japan, she settled down in the fine city of Norwich. Her career then became focused on further education and, as she began working with adult learners and raising her own family of enthusiastic boys, she quickly realised the obstacles and challenges that can stand in the way of those returning to learning. Georgina set up Qualified Education, aiming to create a supportive, flexible and relaxed environment where learners can enjoy learning and progress in their chosen career.

Company Background Centre Director, Georgina Sexton, began her career as a teacher after completing her post-graduate study at the University of Sheffield.

Fuelled by a love of stationery and the smell of whiteboard markers, Georgina embarked on a teaching and learning journey which crossed three continents.

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Qualified Education have a reputation for quality, support and success. The highly qualified and knowledgeable team currently work with over 50 primary and secondary schools, several large well-known organisations in the Norfolk and Suffolk areas, and partner with City & Guilds, Highfield ABC, and Training Qualifications UK to deliver vocational qualifications and training.

New for 2014-15 The 2014-15 academic year is full of exciting developments as Qualified Education expands and delivers new qualifications to meet the needs of individuals and workplaces.

Building on its already successful vocational QCF qualifications, which focus on Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (aimed at teaching assistants) and Health and Social Care, the Qualified Education team is looking forward to the challenge of working with core compliance subjects to help support the needs of businesses and individuals.

The new qualifications include first aid (including Paediatric First Aid and First Aid at Work), food safety, fire safety and conflict management training.

Come and Meet Us – October Events Qualified Education are looking forward

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to a busy October with events at: The Jobs Fair in the Forum on 8th October Magdalen Street Celebration on 11th October B2B Exhibition (hosted by Norfolk Chamber of Commerce) at Carrow Road on 15th October We will also be hosting a celebration evening for 30+ successful learners on our Level 4 Advanced Support for Teaching and Learning qualification.

Come and meet us – and see what we’re all about!

Contact us Visit our website to view our full range of qualifications at: www.qualified. education, drop Georgina an email on georgina@qualified-education.co.uk, find us on Facebook, or join the conversation on Twitter.

THINKING ABOUT YOUR NEXT STEPS…

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LEVEL 2 AWARD IN FOOD SAFETY (CATERING/RETAIL) LEVEL 2 AWARD IN FIRE SAFETY LEVEL 2 AWARD IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

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The Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path Residents of Norwich and East Anglia are blessed with having one of the country’s great walking trails on their doorstep. The Peddars Way is a 46 mile path starting at Knettishall Heath and ending at Holme. Here it joins the 45 mile-long Norfolk Coastal Path to Cromer. Author Stephen Browning and photographer Daniel Tink have just returned from a fabulous trip along the Path and have written a book about their experiences.

What is the Peddars Way? When was it created? Why? No-one can say with certainty when the first part of this route – the Peddars Way – came into existence.

Some say that the route was formed just after Queen Boudicca’s verynearly-successful attempt to drive the Roman invaders into the sea. The theory is that the Roman Emperor ordered the path to be built in order to move his troops quickly over the area and inflict vengeance on the troublesome East Angles, which, by all accounts the Romans did with terrible ferocity.

Others say that the route was part of a much longer pathway extending to Cornwall but the purpose of this has never been satisfactorily explained.

The most intriguing claim is made by those who point out the incredibly straight nature of the path: they pose the very relevant question ‘who would have wanted to take a super-fast route to Holme? Why? The solution, say these folk, is to be found in the fact that 500 million years ago Norfolk formed part of what is known as the ‘Avalonian Block’, which means that it actually was connected to Europe.

Thus the route was a fast track for traders to get to markets on the Continent.

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How to get to the starting point.

You can join the Path at any point along the route, or even go straight to Holme if you just want to walk along the spectacular coastline. But the trail proper begins at Knettishall Heath, near Thetford. There is a railway station – Harling Road – nearby but it is probably simplest to get there by car. The car park is very rural and so having someone to drive your car home again after dropping you off, perhaps a lift with friends, or a taxi may be the best idea.

PART 1 Knettishall Heath to Holme; total distance 46 miles Dividing the Path into chunks This first part is best considered in manageable chunks: of course, what you consider the right length of each will depend very much on how fit you are and also on how fast you wish to proceed. On our journey, we split it into four, the longest being the first, at 14.5 miles; the second, from Little Cressingham, to Castle Acre is 11.7; the third, to Sedgford is 13.9, and the last, to Holme and Hunstanton, around 8.9. It is marvellous in that, although brimming with interest both on and just off the path, all of it is pretty much accessible to all ages and abilities. You can also cycle most

of it and horse riders will find few problems, although they may have sometimes to take a special parallel route.

now, you can witness struggling to gain the life-giving sun by straggling upwards often to a great height. Thus was produced the largest man-made forest in England.

Especially interesting features Stanford Battle Area and Pingos The first section is very easy and popular with many folk who want a short walk which is suitable for all ages and abilities. You will cross streams, walk beside dark, tilled fields edged by magnificent trees ( the Jay is responsible for many of these as each bird will ‘hide’ several thousand acorns each spring to theoretically retrieve in the winter ) and you may be lucky enough to spot a Red, Roe or Muntjac deer. The Woodlark, Stone Curlew, Woodland Jays, Sparrowhawks and Crossbills are a few of the birds who have taken a liking to the relatively newly planted Corsican pines.

Rabbit farming The land has always had precious little commercial value. Once wild horses were to be found here and the Normans introduced rabbits, protected by special ‘Warreners’: the rabbit industry was one of the mainstays of employment here right up to the 1930s. Thereafter, the UK government decided to plant hundreds of thousands of pine trees which, even

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You will edge the Stanford Battle Area which is a training area for the British Army. In 1942, the government decide to evacuate the villages of Buckenham Tofts, Langford, Stanford, Sturston, Tottington and West Tofts, assuring the villagers that their homes would be available again after the war. Unfortunately, this was not the case, and the area remains today a training ground for UK troops going to Afghanistan and elsewhere. There is a tragic and legendary story – told in the book of our travels – of Lucilla, a resident who began a fruitless five-year campaign to regain her home. In 1950 she was told she would never be allowed to return and, on Remembrance Day, she hanged herself.

This is Pingo country and you will see some of these small ponds which, 20,000 years ago, were hills of ice.

Grimes Graves Just off the path is Grimes Graves, a flint mining complex, where much of

the exquisite flint from which many of Norfolk’s finest buildings were built, was extracted. Deer antlers were used to hack out the flint and the site gained especial importance at the time of the Napoleonic Wars when up to 300,000 gunflints a month were supplied to Wellington’s men.

You will pass through some exquisite villages including Little and Greater Cressingham and Castle Acre, where the Cluniac Order became established just after the Conquest. You will also edge Houghton Hall, a fine Palladian house, once the home of Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister.

challenging and we divided it up into 7 shorter sections, ranging from about 5 miles to 9. You cannot take horses here nor bicycles, although there is a special cycleway just a little inland.

A completely new Victorian town Beginning at Hunstanton ( or Sunny Hunny to the locals ), a complete new town built by Henry Le Strange in mid Victorian times and, before that, the landing place of St Edmund, the first Patron Saint of England, you retrace your steps past Holme and on to Thornham.

Here you will see a land of rolling mists and the legendary and mysterious Thornham stumps.

Ah! The sea!

Lord Nelson grew up here Before long the air changes to the salty tang of the immense ocean ahead and so you can both smell and see HolmeNext-the-Sea before you. The Dunes are a wonderland of huge flat golden sands, wild grasses, fungi, moths – this is the ‘moth capital of England’ as up to 900 different varieties are blown over from the continent - butterflies and dragon flies. A sign near the dunes tells you that you have completed the first section of the journey – the Peddars Way itself.

PART 2 The Norfolk Coast Path This part of the walk could hardly be more different. It is undoubtedly more

The path continues past Brancaster which, apart from being incredibly beautiful, is legendary in being the spot where Norfolk’s greatest sea hero, Admiral Lord Nelson, gained his love of the ocean. We took a breather in Burnham Deepdale as it is a good stopping-off point with a campsite, information centre, shops and cafes. The panorama is simply stunning.

From here it is about 8.1 miles to Holkham, along one of Norfolk’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. You may get blown about a little! You may like to visit Holkham Estate, home of the famous

Thomas Coke whose ancestor, the 1st Earl of Leicester, built a beautiful house and began the task of reclaiming this hitherto barren land for agriculture.

Pink Geese For many, the next stage of the walk – about 7.2 miles to Stiffkey – is paradise and passes through Wells-Next-the Sea with its endless sandy beaches. It is also a site of international importance, as is much of this coast walk as well, for rare birds: autumn will see tens of thousands of Pink Geese crossing the skies in a V-shape formation as they begin their migratory odyssey.

The interesting life and terrible death of the Rector of Stiffkey You may well spare a thought for the Rector of Stiffkey, Howard Davidson, as you pass by. He was by all accounts a fine priest who fell fowl of some powerful local people due to his habit of travelling to Soho in London and helping the prostitutes there. In 1932 he was found guilty of immorality and defrocked.

Ever the showman and determined to

demonstrate his innocence, he took to appearing in a fairground at Blackpool.

He would enter the cage of a lion and lioness and talk to the ticket holders.

Unfortunately, in the performance on 28 July 1937, he stood on the tail of the lioness and was killed by the lion. There was great grief at his funeral and, right up to today, people talk of him, most considering him quite innocent fo the charges laid against him.

A man called Onesiphorous Randall Then the walk continues to Cley, to Weybourne and Cromer. You will pass through Salthouse, once very prosperous as salt was a most valuable commodity in days gone by. It was also the home of one, Onesiphorous Randall, who built a lovely house. On the beach. He put a canon in front of his domain to stop prying eyes as often a carriage could be seen whisking along the sands carrying a beautiful lady. The ‘folly’ as it was known lasted until 1953 when it was duly carried away by the sea.

You will pass through East and West Runton, Sheringham and into Cromer,

famed always and now for the ‘Cromer Crab’. Once also, as we highlight in one of our books ‘Norfolk Food Heroes’, this was the centre of the herring industry, probably the most important industry in Norfolk.

Sherlock Holmes and the Black Shuk The area also has associations with the Black Shuk, a huge dog with glowing eyes who was partial to the throats of any foolish folk who ventured onto the cliffs at night. In fact, it was here that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the most widely read author in the world, heard of the legend and based one of the greatest of the Sherlock Holmes stories on these events.

It was ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’, and it gained immediate international attention just a year after his visit here in 1901.

know as ‘Poppyland’ and that is down to him. He wrote to following famous verse in the churchyard of Sidestrand church, just a couple of miles from the end of this trail. He was waiting for his beloved.

In my Garden of Sleep, where red poppies are spread, I wait with the living alone with the dead!

For a tower in ruins stand guard o’er the deep, At whose feet are green graves of dear women asleep!

Did they love as I love, when they lived by the sea?

Did they wait as I wait, for the days that may be?

Was it hope or fulfilling that entered each breast, Ere death gave release, and the poppies gave rest?

Poppyland Arguably, of even greater importance in the development of the area was a journalist named Clement Scott, who was sent here by his paper, the Daily Telegraph, to find out why this part of the coast appealed to so many. He came down and immediately fell in love with the area as well as a local miller’s daughter, Louie Jermy. The area is now

A new book by Daniel Tink and Stephen Browning ‘Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path’ is published by Halsgrove at £14.99. It is available in bookshops and online from Amazon.co.uk

The University Of East Anglia – A Very Fine Stroll In The Park All citizens of Norwich are aware of the University of East Anglia, not least because of the many students wearing ‘UEA’ tops walking around the city each day. Some are also taking courses there, maybe in the famed School of Creative Writing. But how many also realize that the campus is an area of stunning natural beauty and perfect for a walk or a picnic? Author Stephen Browning and photographer Daniel Tink had the great good fortune to explore the area in detail whilst preparing a book of the finest walks to be taken in and around Norwich.

A walk around the 320 acre campus of the University of East Anglia, including the University Broad, the Yare Valley walk, Earlham Park and the Sportspark GREAT EXPECTATIONS The University of East Anglia first opened its doors in October 1963. It consisted of some prefabricated buildings on the far side of Earlham Park and no residential accommodation. Today it has four faculties, 28 schools of study and eight state-of-the-art residential blocks attracting students from all over the world. It has recently been ranked 14th best university in the United Kingdom (there are 123) and, in 2013, the Times Higher Education Supplement named it number 1 in terms of student satisfaction. The School of Creative Writing is world-renowned.

UEA has just over 17,000

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undergraduates and postgraduates, with a large contingent coming from overseas, especially Asia.

Notable ex-students include the King of Tonga, King Tupou VI; Dr Who, Matt Smith; Nobel Laureate Sir Paul Nurse; novelists Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan; Baroness Amos; and the CEOs of ICI, Jaguar Land Rover, and Premier Foods.

TRAVELLING FROM THE FINE CITY TO THE CAMPUS This walk commences on the campus of the University of East Anglia. By car it is basically straight up the Earlham Road – the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist marks the city end – until you see UEA signposted off to your left and you enter University Drive. Buses offer a 24 hour service to and from the same location, and run about every 15 minutes from Castle Meadow.

SIR DENYS LASDUN AND LORD FOSTER The campus as we now see it dates from 1960 and was designed in the main by Sir Denys Lasdun. One of the defining features is that the teaching facilities are contained in a continuous teaching wall that runs from west to east. When you arrive, walk down the gentle slope of University Drive, past the new residential halls and medical centre, and then Chancellors Drive until you see a sign for the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, at the western end of the teaching wall.

This was one of the early works by Norman Foster who went on to become one of the greatest of world architects having in recent years designed, among many other famous buildings, Shanghai International Airport. In the 1980s, Lord Foster was asked to extend the building as more space was needed for exhibits,

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and this he did by building, not on the side, but underneath the existing cuboid structure. The result - looking back at it from the River Yare - is what looks like a hill of green grass with a glass storey in the middle.

SAINSBURY CENTRE AND SOME FAMOUS NORFOLK NAMES The Sainsbury Centre houses the art collection of Sir Robert and Lady Lisa Sainsbury. Much of the display comes from Africa, Asia and North and South America. On the lawns outside, are artworks and sculptures by eminent artists including Francis Bacon, Jacob Epstein and Henry Moore. All this is free to see. The centre also usually has another exhibition running simultaneously which is not free.

There are two entrances to the Centre on the university side. Both lead to cafes, one of which is large and quite

traditional in its menu – quiche, salads, sandwiches, rolls, a special hot course meal, tea, coffee etc at reasonable prices. The other is more continental in flavour, selling items like cous-cous with fresh salad dressed in olive oil, ciabatta sandwiches, several varieties of homemade sponge sandwich cakes, fresh fruit and a selection of teas. This latter overlooks the free art collection and is a relaxing place to take a break.

Walk around the Centre – or, if the weather is fine the glass doors from the ‘continental’ café will be open – and down the slope towards the lake. Look back for a fine view of the famous ‘ziggurats’ of Sir Denys Lasdun, now grade 2 listed. It is a shame that such a striking architectural vision had to be curtailed in the 1970s due to lack of finance. A cheaper building – the unloved Waveney Terrace –was constructed alongside. This was demolished in 2006

and some new accommodation has recently been completed. Each colourful and elegant block has been named after such eminent men as Horatio Nelson, John Constable, Benjamin Britten, Jeremiah Coleman, Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, Robert Kett, Sir Thomas Browne and the Paston family ( famous for the literary classic ‘The Paston letters’ ). UEA has invested much effort in recruiting students from overseas and, for this, state-of-the-art accommodation is essential.

THE UNIVERSITY BROAD Looking back, you can see these fine buildings and the ziggurats set against the sky on a rising hill – it makes a fine picture.

work. One idea is to walk completely around it, taking in the wildlife and lovely views back towards the university. There are seats at regular intervals. Another is to walk around the Broad to the far side and take one of the several different paths that open up.

There is, for example, a small bridge on the near corner to where you are standing. Passing across the bridge will take you to thick woodland where you can wander. In spring this is a mass of bluebells, and in autumn a rich riot of reds, browns and greens. Although popular with locals, sometimes with their dogs, the area is so large that chances are you or your party may not see another soul.

YARE VALLEY WALK

You are now coming to the University Broad, which was formed in the 1970s when gravel was extracted for building

An alternative is to turn left and follow the Yare Valley Walk for almost as many

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miles as you like. It continues past the farthest extent of the Broad, into Eaton, past Marston Marsh and ends in Danby Wood, where there is a car park. You are just off the Ipswich Road here, not far from the city centre.

CELANDINES, DRAGONFLIES AND WATERHENS My personal favourite, however, is to turn right at this point and follow the stream. You will see that the water is absolutely clear and thousands of fish can be seen darting about. The walk has fascination for the naturalist at any time of the year – the sea cabbages and other strange looking plants on the banks and in the stream, meadows of celandines ( Wordsworth’s favourite flower – not daffodils as most people think ), swathes of bright yellow rises, waterboatmen, huge dragonflies in metallic hues of blue and turquoise, and pink, white and yellow

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waterlilies. Here, too, are nesting swans, ducks and shrill-sounding waterhens.

You will pass some sports fields on your left and cross over a small road.

The path is clearly made out and you will find yourself in a damp wood.

Carry on walking and, almost out of the blue, you will see a brightly lit exit among the trees. You have come to Earlham Park.

EARLHAM PARK AND HALL If you stop and look at the upwardsloping fields with ancient oak trees scattered here and there and, in Spring and Summer, a covering of wild flowers in hues of white, yellow, blue and mauve, you may imagine that you have stepped into the pages of a Thomas Hardy novel.

The fattest rabbits you ever saw, quite unconcerned by your presence, hop about and nibble the grass. The ‘University Village’ is at the far side of the park and students use the fields as the most direct route to lectures. If you wander across the park, you will find a café. Earlham Hall itself is now the UEA School of Law.

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A SWIM?

principle has been broadly followed since.

Exiting to the right of Earlham Hall and walking back towards the university proper – it is clearly signed – you come to the Sportspark, one of the biggest multi-sports facilities in the country and built in 2001. It is fully open to the public.

For a few pounds you can use the Bernard Matthews Olympic Swimming Pool: often you have it almost all to yourself. When you have finished your swim, you can eat at the café in the complex which serves fresh and healthy food at very good prices.

The café is alongside a climbing wall on the one side and a running track of international standard on another.

These facilities are almost constantly in use and make an unusual backdrop to your meal.

Leaving the Sportspark and carrying on towards the university proper, you will come within a few minutes to the centre of the campus. Sir Denys Lasdun designed the buildings so that none should be more than five minutes from another and this

Thus, you soon be standing in front of the Union Pub and Bar, a most impressive and comfortable ale house which has recently undergone a million pound refit. There are other bars and cafes scattered around, as well as general food shops, banks and a Waterstone’s bookshop. In fine weather, students will be sitting on the tired rows of steps chatting, eating or studying for the upcoming seminar.

The University Library is well worth a visit and an excellent place for quiet study. You need to produce a proof of a Norwich address and photographic ID. If you need to take a bus back to town they leave regularly, 24 hours a day, from Chancellors Drive.

A book ‘Discover Norwich’ by Stephen Browning with pictures from Daniel Tink, is published by Halsgrove at £14.99 and is available at bookshops, online at Amazon etc.

It contains 11 profusely illustrated walks around Norwich.

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Note from Editor - “We would like to apologise for an error the last edition of FineCity, where the incorrect image was placed in the article about the Cathedral. The image was of St. Peter Mancroft Church and not the Cathedral.”

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Your Chance To Sing For The Voice Project’s New City Hall Christmas Concert Award winning city choir announce winter project Norfolk’s internationally renowned Voice Project Choir is recruiting singers for their Christmas concerts which will be held at Norwich’s City Hall in December.

The Voice Project Choir is a true community choir, welcoming participants of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. No previous singing experience is needed, there are no auditions and everyone is welcome whether they have ever sung before or not. All the music is taught by ear.

The choir, winners of a People’s Choice Award at the 2013 Norfolk Arts Awards, will perform a new piece specially written for them titled Lost and Found. Over 100 voices and selected instrumentation will animate the city’s atmospheric City Hall in a promenade performance that is the final part of this year’s Voice Project trilogy, exploring the themes of memory and imagination. The first

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was Souvenir in May, a series of sold out performances at Holkham Hall as part of Norfolk & Norwich Festival which was followed in July by Things We’ve Forgotten in the Undercroft underneath the city’s War Memorial.

appeared at international jazz festivals in London, Gateshead and Normandy, British national TV and radio and French peak time national TV. It is regularly commissioned by Norfolk & Norwich Festival to create new work.

Voice Project Co-Director Sian Croose said ‘We are really excited to have the opportunity to create a performance piece specially for Norwich City Hall.

It is an extraordinary building, and this is a chance to experience it quite differently’.

Created by singers Sian Croose and Jonathan Baker in 2008, the choir has involved hundreds of singers in performances of great new vocal music as well as running workshops designed to build vocal confidence and explore a wide variety of uplifting and inspiring vocal music.

Many members of the choir, who come from all over Norfolk, join time and time again, extolling the relaxing and therapeutic values of singing, others join on a one–off basis leaving with an enhanced sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Caroline Whiting who sang in Souvenir said ‘The experience was magical, many of us were not regular singers but Sian and Jon led us with such enthusiasm and good humour we were swept along to achieve more than we could have dreamt of. We have all made new friends and have stunning memories to treasure.’

It is one of the best know choirs in the East of England and beyond having

Participants both new and old are invited to get involved in this exciting

new project. There is a no-obligation taster session at the Friends Meeting House in Upper Goat Lane Norwich at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7th October.

For more information visit www.voiceproject.co.uk or contact info@voiceproject.co.uk Jonathan Baker and Sian Croose are available for interviews, contact Steve Forster steve@sfppr.co.uk 01603 661459 Listings info: Event Tuesday 7th October 7.30pm The Voice Project: City of Strangers Taster Session Friends Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich, NR2 1EW 01603 624854

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www.voiceproject.co.uk

Hosting Quiz Night During Library 100 Festival Award winning city choir announce winter project Members of Norwich Writers’ Circle are pleased to share in the Library 100 celebrations, taking place at the historic Library Restaurant near the Guildhall in Norwich from 1st – 7th November.

On Tuesday evening 4th November, NWC will host a Literary Quiz, challenging teams of eight to compete for £10 book tokens, kindly donated by Jarrold Book Department. For a ticket price of £15 per head, this fun evening includes the Quiz, a superb twocourse supper provided by The Library Restaurant team and a Grand Book

Raffle offering an eclectic selection of books.

First prize is a collection of titles supplied by speakers appearing in the NWC 2014 – 15 season, including novelist Rachel Hore, local historians Michael and Frances Holmes, aviation writer Martin W. Bowman, romantic novelist Louise Allen and children’s author Doug Valgren.

The evening will highlight the diversity of writing and encourage new membership of this long established

Writing Circle in Norwich. You are welcome to reserve your places by calling the Library Restaurant on 01603 616606.

get in touch, please go to our website.

Phyllida Scrivens, Programmes Secretary NWC

Either reserve a table for your team of eight, or alternatively you will be allocated to a team on arrival.

Further details of other events during the Festival can be found at www.library100. co.uk.

For full programme details of the forthcoming Norwich Writers’ Circle season of twice-monthly meetings and

The World Champions Boxing Quiz Book Is A Knockout!

Guinness World Records’ boxing consultant, Ralph Oates, delivers another knockout punch with his most recent compilation of boxing trivia The latest in a long line of successful and insightful boxing books from former amateur boxer Ralph, The World Champions Boxing Quiz Book provides ringside seats for a thousand questions covering the careers of over fifty world champion boxers, including Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Joe Calzaghe and Frank Bruno.

Regarded as the leading compiler of boxing quiz books in the country, Ralph’s love of boxing began in his school years.

Unable to continue in the sport due to poor eyesight, Ralph instead became an avid fan. Drawing from a life of interest in the sport, years writing articles and quizzes for The British Boxing Board of Control, and publishing numerous boxing reference books, Ralph provides a unique and enticing challenge that will test and delight anyone with an interest in boxing.

He said: “My books have always been meticulously researched. This time around we have gone the extra mile to provide the best possible book for all fans of the noble sport. If you have a genuine interest in boxing this book is definitely for you.”

The World Champions Boxing Quiz Book covers decades of boxing world champions, taking in everything from title fights to referees, to entertain, educate and test to see who can go the distance.

Some of these questions you will feel sure of, others will make you question

what you thought you knew about boxing – making this a must have for both the casual fan and the most die-hard of supporters.

knew the sport before, be prepared to realise your complacency is completely unwarranted.”

Steve Holdsworth, Eurosport

As a result of his ample experience in the boxing world and excellent craftsmanship, Ralph has received high praise for his latest book from heavyweights in the boxing world – including former British featherweight champion Gary De’Roux, Britain’s first female boxing manager Tania Follett and former IBO World, British and European Light-Welterweight champion Colin McMillan.

“The World Champions Boxing Quiz Book by Ralph Oates is a great read with some testing questions about a number of world champions.”

Colin McMillan, Former WBO world British & Commonwealth featherweight champion

“Once again Ralph Oates is testing the memory of boxing fans with his latest publication The World Champions Boxing Quiz Book which is an excellent exam for those who follow the sport.”

Billy Walker, British Boxing Board of Control Administrator and former British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight title challenger

Former WBC World, British and European lightweight champion, and one of Ralph’s favourite boxers, Jim Watt MBE, is one of the boxers selected for the book. He also provides the prologue. Jim said: “This book is essential for all boxing fans. The younger ones, who are perhaps new to the sport, will find it educational, while the seasoned fan will find it an excellent reference guide.

The book can be purchased from www.candyjarbooks.co.uk ISBN: 978-0-9927548-2-2 Other reviews: “Fancy a challenge? Let the perfectionist Ralph Oates into your life with The World Champions Boxing Quiz Book. If you thought you

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Above: The new book’s cover art.

Left: Ralph Oates

Issue 35 2014

15

Sinsins Give in to temptation...

16 Issue 35 2014

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Dozen Artisan Bakery Dozen was set up in 2008 by Tom Harding’s friend and his wife, Steven and Hannah Winter, when they moved back to Norwich from Perth, Australia Tom started working for them three months after Dozen opened, and he bought the business in April 2011. His assistant baker Laurence Carroll has been baking with Dozen for the last 18 months; Tom’s mother works in the shop, and local students are employed to work behind the shop counter.

The Cheese Truckle, and Dozen also supports cottage-industry suppliers, selling honey produced by a local beekeeper, and free-range eggs from a local hen-keeper.

Dozen’s suppliers include Marriages’ Flour, whose product is excellent and who are very supportive of what Dozen is trying to achieve. Marriages’ are also always on hand for any advice in relation to product or business.

The bakers at Dozen makes everything by hand, on the premises, using good

Nuts and seeds come from Rainbow Whole Foods, an ethical local company quality, fresh, organic ingredients, and try to source as many of these locally as possible. They strive to make their produce the best that they can, and their loyal customer base means a lot to them. They also try to maintain a good balance between keeping the regular, tried-and-tested products alongside new, more seasonal items. They have an open-plan bakery with large windows so the public can see everything being

Simple ingredients, expertly crafted

107 Gloucester Street, Norwich, NR2 2DY 01603 764 798 www.dozenbakery.co.uk 18 Issue 35 2014

made – there are no secrets, and nowhere to hide! Dozen makes a range of yeasted breads and sourdoughs, croissants, tarts, cakes, biscuits, and sausage rolls, which are definitely the most popular item. Legendary chef Albert Roux sampled one, then asked to take a boxful home with him!

with sound credentials, and the meat and vegetables used in Dozen’s products come from a butcher and a greengrocer whose businesses are on the same road as Dozen. All these suppliers were chosen because they are local, and because their products have integrity, something which Dozen is keen to endorse.

Dozen also has a delicatessen display selling cheeses, chutneys, drinks, jams, fruit cheeses, and seasonal items.

The deli section is mostly stocked by

Dozen aims for consistently high standards, using fresh, local, organic produce, and their advice would be to always listen to your customers.

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Competition

Win AMini! or £10,000 cash!

All you have to do is complete the following sections and send it back to ensure your are included in the draw. Or enter online at: www.FineCiy.co.uk/winamini Only one entry per household Your name: How much is your home phone bill ? £ Your address: YES

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household bills every month?

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Would you like to have an extra income?

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Postcode: Your landline contact number: Your email address:

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Please send your entry to: FineCity Magazine, Queens House, Queens Square, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 2AE. Terms & conditions apply. Go to www.FineCity.co.uk/winamini for full T’s & C’s.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Norfolk Volunteers are crucial to the successful running of EACH and help keep our vital services going. With £6 million to raise every year, we’re always looking for local people who can help out.

A perfect example of volunteers working together to help EACH is the Norwich Friends Group which has

been running for a number of years and has raised almost £150,000!

The group, currently consisting of Margaret, April, Diana, Stan, Nancy, Judy and Judith help out with anything and everything including delivering and replacing collection pots, collecting cheques from local groups and organisations, holding store

collections and helping out with EACH led and third party events.

THE EACH Norwich Friends group meets every eight weeks in the City Centre and new members are always welcome!

Helping EACH isn’t limited to joining a friends group. You can become a volunteer and help out as much or as little as you want - from helping at an

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EACH event, to picking up a cheque or collection pot to going the whole hog and hosting your own fundraising events– it’s all appreciated.

For more information about volunteering at EACH, or to find out about forthcoming events, visit www.each.org.uk or call the Norfolk fundraising office on 01953 666767.

The Benjamin Foundation Gives Tour Of Building To Fundraisers Fosters solicitors raises funds to support Norfolk charity Norfolk charity, The Benjamin Foundation put on a tour for one of their corporate supporters, Fosters Solicitors, on 1st September to show them how their donated funds will benefit young people.

Fosters Solicitors held a black tie Halloween Ball last year to raise funds for two charities, one of which was The Benjamin Foundation which received a donation of £7,000.

Most of this money will be spent on the ongoing refurbishment at the charity’s Winston Court accommodation in North Walsham which provides a home and support

for 15 young people who may otherwise be homeless. More than 30 windows need replacing at the accommodation and new showers are also being installed in each resident’s bathroom.

Chris Elliott, Marketing and Fundraising Manager said, “We were delighted that Fosters Solicitors chose to support us at their Halloween Ball and the money raised will make a real difference. It is nice to show Fosters first-hand how their donation will improve Winston Court and the young adults who live there and who are supported by our staff.”

Andrea Smith, Marketing Manager

at Fosters Solicitors commented on the visit, “It was a real pleasure to visit Winston Court to see how our fundraising donation will be used.

As a company, we like to help in our local community as much as we can so were delighted to support The Benjamin Foundation so they can continue their vital work with people in Norfolk.”

The Fosters donation also enabled the charity to apply for further funding from the Clothworkers Foundation and they gave a grant of £15,000 towards the Winston Court improvements. The two donations mean the next phase of

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improvements will be able to start in the coming weeks.

For more information about The Benjamin Foundation, view the film ‘Home and Hope’, some of which was filmed at Winston Court.

www.benjaminfoundation.co.uk housing-and-homelessness

Issue 35 2014

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FINE MUSIC

Jennifer Grace Music News & events...

Our Jennifer Grace Show held at the Wensum Valley Golf and Country Club was a total success!

The parents and friends of our students who sang or played their instruments said that it was ‘Better Than X Factor’!!

They said that the Carvery was beautiful and the staff were very friendly. We would like to say a big thank you to Wensum Hotel for allowing us to put on a show. Please check out our Facebook page for videos of some of the students singing and for updates too. We are looking forward to putting on our next show soon...watch this space!

We have had great success with the new Choir, we had a lovely turn out on the first night, we were a little worried at first but a hand full of people turned up and each week it has gone from strength to strength with more coming along.

They are such a friendly bunch. We have a mixture of ages and we are going to cover all genres of music.

Each student is learning about harmonies and we have had quite a few giggles trying to get them right.

The best thing is seeing them leave with a smile on their faces!

We practice on a Wednesday evening at the unit from 6.30 til 8 and the cost is £5 with a drink.

24 Issue 34 2014

Our drum studio has been going well since our new teacher joined us. We are open to young students wanting to learn to play for fun or to improve what they already know.

Our guitar tutor has also settled in nicely too. He has a few more slots available.

We are now enrolling for our next set of examinations in vocals, music or music Theory. They are being taken on November 28th here at the unit. Grades are from Trinity College of London covering Grades 1 to 8 in all subjects. Please get in touch if you are interested in starting a grade. We pride ourselves on 100% pass rate. This year we had over 80% with distinctions! A fantastic achievement!

We are taking on anyone who wishes to audition for BBC’s The Voice. We hold auditions at the unit each year. If you wish to enter please give us a call, we can help you prep and advise on those finishing touches to audition. If you start early you will be more than ready to perform.

We can help with any audition whether it’s for college, Westend musical, xfactor or any other show, preparation is the key! Get in touch and ask to speak to one of our vocal tutors!

Get your first half hour FREE!

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FINE ATTRACTIONS

New Boutique Hotel Rooms Open At Leading Broads Holiday Park Not content with refurbishing the Waveney Inn pub to critical acclaim this year, the team at the award-winning Waveney River Centre have added luxury boutique hotel rooms to the already diverse range of holiday options.

The first two ground floor “cabins” - Port and Starboard - are open for business and 5 more will be ready by Christmas 2014.

indoor heated pool and free pedestrian ferry crossing to the stunning to Carlton Marshes and Angles Way footpath.

Guests are treated to comfortable super king size beds with deluxe Egyptian cotton linen, 40” HD smart TVs, huge wet rooms, free toiletries and Wifi - and the rooms have amazing views over the adjacent Carlton Marshes nature reserve and marina.

Situated in Burgh St Peter, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, near Beccles, the six figure pub and hotel refurbishment has reinstated an important part of the area’s history the Waveney Hotel.

The luxury rooms have been priced competitively, from £95 per night for bed and breakfast, which is created from locally sourced produce, such as Blythburgh pork bacon and sausages from Pepperell’s butchers in Harleston.

Room only and dinner, bed and breakfast stays are also available. The latter costs £145, for 2 people, and includes 2 courses off the main menu, breakfast, free WiFi, use of the park’s

26

Issue 35 2014

Opened over 135 years ago, the building has had a variety of uses.

From 1904 to 1914, Frank Rice’s Zoological Gardens was a famous local attraction, featuring bears, monkeys and a ‘sacred white camel’ amongst its menagerie. In 1907, two brown bears escaped - only to be shot and eaten by local villagers!

quickly established itself as the Broads premiere waterside pub.

renovating the Waveney Inn, as the two complement each other very well.

The family-friendly pub features an airconditioned bar and restaurant, huge outdoor deck and a mouth-watering menu of locally-sourced, home-cooked food and Adnams ales.

The new rooms offer something different to our other lodge, penthouse, cottage, glamping and camping accommodation. It’s exciting to see our hard work paying off and we’re working hard to get the 5 other rooms up and running for later in the year.”

James Knight, MD of Waveney River Centre said, “We’ve already had some fantastic feedback from people who have stayed in the new boutique hotel rooms. We felt the time was right to develop the Waveney Hotel after

The hotel development follows hot on the heels of the Waveney Inn, which opened in spring 2014, which has

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For more information, visit www.waveneyrivercentre.co.uk/hotel or call 01502 677 343.

or x

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to h

Local apples at your East of England Co-op One of our local suppliers Henry Dobell Moat Farm, Stowmarket While stocks last. Subject to availability.

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FINE FOOD

In The Run Up To Christmas, Mustard Extends It’s Opening Hours For All Those Hungry Shoppers!

An artistic feast...

From 16th October Mustard will be open till 7pm every Thursday, and will also be open on Sunday 7th, 14th and 21st December from 10am-4pm.

The cafe has a range of gifts available during this time, which are well worth a look.

As an art cafe, all the works of art on display are for sale and these make wonderful gifts.

The art on display ranges from original pieces, and prints to sculpture.

Go the Facebook page and hit LIKE! You can also follow us on Twitter @mustardnorwich

Artwork by: Charlotte Vogel, Anna Martin and Lewis Lenton

Gecko sculptures from £30.00

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Issue 35 2014

www.FineCity.co.uk

FINE FOOD

Roots Stakes Its Claim In The Waitrose Good Food Guide 2015 Roots is one of three restaurants in Norwich and the only “Local Gem” in the City, to be listed in this year’s Waitrose Good Food Guide 2015 The guide, which was published in September, is the nation’s bestselling restaurant guide, one which reflects the high standard of dining in the UK. This year it features a total of 85 restaurants, pubs and cafés from across the East of England.

The coveted listing was achieved by Roots within its first year of trading and just before the restaurant celebrated its first anniversary this September.

the style of food: simple, rustic and using fresh local produce to create some quirky twists on traditional dishes”.

Roots has recently opened a new cellar space, perfect for evening drinks, dinner or private parties, and a new take-away counter so that customers can still enjoy a wholesome breakfast, lunch or coffee and cake whilst on-the-go. Roots is located in the historic Norwich Lanes.

Richard Lang, proprietor of Roots, said: “We’re delighted to be included within the guide and to have been nominated by our customers, unbeknownst to us, making the news an especially lovely surprise.

With so many great restaurants in the region, we feel honoured to have a place in the guide. It’s a testament to the pedigree of our head chef and

For more details, why not visit the website: www.rootsnorwich.co.uk

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Issue 35 2014 29

FINE BREWING

Woodforde’s Crowned ‘Brewery Of The Year’ Woodforde’s Norfolk Ales is delighted to have received one of the industry’s finest accolades; Brewery of the Year from The Good Pub Guide 2015 Woodforde’s Norfolk Ales is delighted to have received one of the industry’s finest accolades; Brewery of the Year from The Good Pub Guide 2015.

Woodforde’s, which has been brewing beers for more than 30 years, has won a number of prestigious awards for individual beers such as Nelson’s Revenge and Wherry, but this is the first time it has been crowned Brewery of the Year – an award which is based completely on reader feedback.

Beating off competition from a host of well-known breweries all over the UK, Rupert Farquharson, managing director of Woodforde’s comments: “We are delighted to have won this important award. It is particularly rewarding because it’s a result of nominations from beer lovers across the country and recognises our passion for brewing great beer that people actually want to drink.”

Fiona Stapley, Editor for The Good Pub Guide, states:

Image Above: Rupert Farquharson, managing director of Woodforde’s.

Image Below: Woodforde’s sign outside the brewery in Woodbastwick, Norfolk.

“Our readers love their ales and we get lots of warm praise for a great many beers, but the Woodforde’s ales receive special mention. It’s clear that their beers are incredibly popular. The fact that they have their own bore hole and use local barley and quite an array of local hops just adds to their credentials – especially at a time when public demand is for local produce. And their tap pub next door, the Fur & Feather keeps their full range of beers so notably well, is quite charming and again, our readers love it.”

The Good Pub Guide is a national institution – a bible for pub-goers.

Now in its 33rd edition, it is the UK’s No.1 bestselling guide. With regular feedback from over 2,000 loyal and eagle-eyed correspondents who looks for real warmth and quality in service, it is the pub-goers’ recommendations, backed up by editor inspections, that determines who’s in and who’s out year on year.

For more information about Woodforde’s Norfolk Ales, visit: www.woodfordes.co.uk

30 Issue 34 2014

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FINE BREWING

Five-Course Tasting Menu Celebrates Norfolk’s Finest Food And Beer Following last year’s sell-out event, Norfolk’s only beer sommelier will once again be revealing how to pair food with beer at ‘The Brewer’s Table’ event hosted by Woodforde’s on Friday 3rd October Held at the Woodforde’s brewery tap, The Fur and Feather, during the Norfolk Food and Drink Festival and Cask Ale Week, the event will serve five courses of appetising food, each accompanied by distinctive Norfolk craft ales.

Bruce will chat to guests about how to blend the textures, notes, aromas and flavours of beer with food and is also joined by landlord, Tim Ridley, to showcase the finest ingredients from around the county, including:

1. Locally sourced celeriac and

apple soup served with soda bread.

2. Cromer crab fishcake accompanied with chunky tartare.

3. Venison Bourguignon York

with creamy herb mash and

caramelised vegetables.

4. A trio of local cheeses with

homemade biscuits.

5. Chocolate torte served with

Ronaldo’s cherry ice cream.

Pairing food with beer is rapidly growing in popularity and London Beer Academy graduate, Bruce Ash, is passionate to pass on his knowledge on the night: “Real ale is part of our heritage and people are now embracing beer as an alternative to wine when matching with food, which is fantastic. We will have a varied selection of beers, from light refreshing ales to rich ones so there will be something to suit everyone’s palette.

shop at Woodbastwick or by calling 01603 722218.

Tickets are limited so please hurry to avoid disappointment! #foodandale

“Guests will pick up plenty of practical tips plus be able to purchase beers from our pop-up shop to experiment with flavours and beers at home. I’m looking forward to a great evening once again.”

7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets are £30 per head and must be booked in advance – available from the brewery

Woodforde’s beer sommelier Bruce Ash with a glass of beer

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Issue 34 2014

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FINE ENTERTAINMENT

Knightmare Live: Level 2 “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” «««««The Skinny Welcome watchers of illusion! The doors to the world of adventure are open again, but dare you enter?

Following 2013’s knock out UK tour and a second successful Edinburgh run, Knightmare Live is back for Level 2 with a whole new show. Expect the usual cavalcade of adventure, characters, puzzles and monsters in this critically acclaimed stage adaption of the cult TV classic, as well as “...at least 40% more danger”

Each day one member of the public will be guided by two guest comedians through Treguard’s dungeon but will they succeed in their quest, or fall foul to one of Lord Fear’s schemes?

“The most fun you can have with your clothes on… and a bucket over your head.” ««««The Big Issue

playfully mess with the rules of the game.” «««« The Independent Dungeoneers have been invited to compete in the most coveted of quests; only playing the game can answer those questions... Time turns, the path is open and the greater game returns…

The only way is onward, there is no turning back…

Listings

Hosted by a new Treguard, and featuring teams of top comedians as daily guests guiding an audience member Dungeoneer through Lord Fear’s epic realm, Knightmare live promises to recapture the essence of everyone’s favourite pre-CGI helmet based role-playing children’s

television show.

“If you loved the original Knightmare, you’ll adore the nostalgia value of the original props and in-jokes, but what makes Knightmare Live really great is the ad-libbing from the cast, whose banter never misses a beat as they

SHOW: Knightmare Live – Level 2 DATE: Thursday 30th October 2014 VENUE: Norwich Playhouse, 42 - 58 St. George’s Street, Norwich, NR3 1AB TIME: 19:30 PRICE: £13.50

CONTACT: 01603 598598 www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

The Excitements A little bit of retro class In early 2010, the sonic whirlwind known as The Excitements emerged in Barcelona, Spain, delivering its Rhythm ‘n’ Blues and Soul cocktail, old school style, and astounding audiences over their country and, shortly after, Europe.

Since then, the band founded by Adrià Gual (rhythm guitar) and Daniel Segura (bass) has brought their powerful set to a huge number of macro-festivals such as Coleur Café (Belgium) and Les nuits Secretes (France), jazz festivals such as San Sebastian’s Jazzaldia (Spain), Nancy, Lille (France) or Liege (Belgium), and a wide amount of specialized festivals, such as Funtastic Dracula Carnival, Purple Weekend or Beat Goes On (Spain), while also heavily working the club circuits over the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and the UK, among others.

Segura (bass); and last but not least, the soulful sounds of Nico Rodríguez Jauregui on baritone sax and Marc Lloret on alto sax. Its rhythm section builds an ultra-tight bedrock, perfectly complemented by its saxophones, following the early sixties tradition.

The band brings an energetic show comprising the most furious and authentic R&B floor fillers and one or two spine-chilling ballads, wraped in a show delivered without mercy, which

invites the crowd to one of the best parties you can find.

Etta James, Ike and Tina Turner, early James Brown or Sugar Pie de Santo are some of the names that’ll give you a hint about The Excitements’ sound, always loyal to the US R&B and Soul tradition. You can check it all by yourself grabbing a copy of their first LP and any of their several 45s. All of them are released by Barcelona’s label

‘The Excitements have provided a straightto-the-point antidote of full-pelt soul and R&B….attacking their work with a spirit recalling the UK soul circuit circa 1965.’Mojo ‘In the James Hunter and Sharon Jones territory of the early-mid-60’s R&B and Soul….this is just 100% authentic. What is even more incredible is almost all titles are self-penned, and yet they sound instantly classic. This is easily one of my albums of the year. A beautiful thing indeed.’- Blues& Soul ‘…proof that vibrant old school soul music, played with verve and commitment, still retains bite and relevance…deliver scorching passion plays and primed with rasping sax. EXCELLENT.’ – **** Daily Mirror Wednesday 29th October 2014 8:00 PM £10.00 adv : £12.00 door Standing Venue: Norwich Arts Centre www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

The band is strongly influenced by the best Afro-American music from the past century, bypassing the modern soul-funk trends and focusing on old school soul sounds. It is formed by the explosive lead vocals of Koko-Jean Davis; the scorching 6 strings of Albert Greenlight on lead guitar and Adrià Gual on rhythm guitar; the thundering rhythm section driven

by Marcial García (drums) and Daniel

32 Issue 35 2014

Penniman Records, which has one of the most important R&B and old school Soul family of labels of the planet.

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FINE ENTERTAINMENT

Marcel Lucont: Is “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” «««««The Skinny “Those of us who have had the pleasure of Marcel Lucont know that it is something you do not forget in a hurry… A marvellous malevolent monster… Mordantly brilliant stuff” «««« The Scotsman

A modern man’s majestic musings on mortality, morality, and masculinity from multi award-deserving maverick Marcel Lucont. Is is a multimedia mélange of magnificence mixing up stand-up, songs and poetry, with a dash of visual trickery.

“A pitch-perfect performance… His elegant, sardonic turns of phrase are an utter joy… Hilarious” ««««Time Out

As much a treat for regular Marcellites as for newcomers to Monsieur Lucont’s oeuvre; prepare your sous-vêtements to be charmed away by this Frenchman regardless of your gender or sexual preference.

Marcel has toured the world with his dry wit, bawdy chansons and exquisite sex poetry. He has played the Edinburgh Fringe, Melbourne Comedy Festival, New Zealand Comedy Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe. As seen on Sky Atlantic’s Set List, BBC3’s Russell Howard’s Good News, Live At The Electric, Best Bits (New Zealand) and Comedy Gala (New Zealand).

“Finely-crafted… the French poet, bon viveur and lover extraordinaire certainly does not lack confidence” ««««Metro LISTINGS

SHOW: Marcel Lucont: Is DATE: Thursday 16th October 2014 VENUE: Norwich Arts Centre, 51 St Benedicts St, Norwich NR2 4PG TIME: 20:0 PRICE: £10.50-£12.50 CONTACT: (01603) 660352 www.norwichartscentre.co.uk/events/ marcel-lucont

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To find out more about Marcel Lucont, visit his website at www.Marcellucont.Com Issue Issue 352014 35 2014

FINE ENTERTAINMENT

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Norfolk youth choir needs young voices to join show Norfolk’s Broadland Youth Choir is on the hunt for new members to participate in the inspirational experience of singing on the Norwich Theatre Royal stage in the hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The musical arrives in town on October 28 for a week’s run and will star X-Factor finalist Lloyd Daniels as Joseph, TV’s Over the Rainbow winner Danielle Hope as the Narrator, and EastEnders and Dancing On Ice star Matt Lapinskas as Pharaoh.

This retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph started life as a pop cantata in 1967 when it was written for a school concert by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice – and productions today still feature a choir on stage comprised of local schoolchildren.

Broadland Youth Choir’s musical director Carole Tims, who started

Issue 35 2014

the choir over 20 years ago, has provided young voices for a number of visiting productions at the Norwich theatre since 1997 – including Evita and Whistle Down The Wind - and this year’s production by Bill Kenwright is no exception.

“This will be the 270th performance of the show I have seen,” she said.

“I know it by heart even down to exactly what instruments play with each song.”

Carole said the choir was currently recruiting new members and any singer aged seven up to 13 or 14 with an ‘upper’ voice who joins in the next two weeks will be in with a chance of appearing in the show.

“Doing Joseph is great fun but the children have to be very disciplined and we do drill them quite hard time. But it is a good introduction

into stage work and it can be inspirational. They are so lucky to get such an opportunity to work in a professional production on a stage like the Theatre Royal’s.”

The Broadland Youth Choir participates in other events too, such as the annual EDP Festival of Choirs at St Andrew’s Hall, which this year takes place on December 9, and will also be directed by Carole.

The choir has around 40 to 50 members at any one time from all over Norfolk, ranging from young juniors up to seniors who sing as tenors or basses. Some members have gone on to study music in higher education and many return to take part in the Festival of Choirs.

smaller children and then running from 5.30-6.30pm for the whole choir.

For more information on joining the choir, contact Carole on 01603 721912.

Listing: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tuesday 28 OctoberSaturday 1 November at 7.30pm, and Wednesday to Friday matinees at 2.30pm, Saturday 1.30pm & 4.30pm performances.

Tickets £6.50-£27.50. Discounts for Friends, Corporate Club, Over-60s, Under-18s and Groups. Audiodescribed performance on Saturday 1 November at 1.30pm.

BOX OFFICE 01603 630000.

Rehearsals take place at the Salhouse Jubilee Hall on Friday afternoons, starting at 4.30pm for

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For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

FINE ENTERTAINMENT

3 TV Stars To Join UK’s Longest Running Musical X FACTOR finalist LLOYD DANIELS as Joseph - OVER THE RAINBOW winner DANIELLE HOPE as Narrator - DANCING ON ICE finalist MATT LAPINSKAS as Pharaoh With a crash-of-drums-and-a-flashof-light X Factor finalist Lloyd Daniels will make his musical theatre debut in the title role of the UKs longest running musical JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. The youngest contestant in 2009’s competition, Daniels got to the final 5 out of 250,000 entrants and performed in front of 10 million TV viewers. Since then he has performed to sold out arenas on a 56 date X Factor tour and released popular single Suburban Girl.

Danielle Hope captured the hearts of the country when she won BBC Television’s Over the Rainbow and made her professional debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Now, following a hugely successful year as Eponine in Les Misérables in London’s West End she will join the cast of Joseph as Narrator.

Matt Lapinskas will play Pharaoh in his first musical theatre role.

Famed for playing Anthony Moon in EastEnders, Matt was also runner up

in the penultimate series of Dancing on Ice. This colourful retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours sings out to young and old alike with a score which is crammed wall to wall with hits – including Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do. Having garnered sensational reviews and standing ovations at every performance since its inception almost 35 years ago, Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical has now sold an estimated 15 million tickets and will embark on a new tour opening at Theatre Royal Windsor on Wednesday 23 July 2014.

Bill Kenwright by special arrangement with the Really Useful Group presents JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Lyrics by TIM RICE Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

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Issue 35 2014

FINE MOTORS

Peter Pan aka Charlotte Baptie

FINE MOTORS FINE ENTERTAINMENT

From New York’s West Side To The Island Of Neverland PETER PAN – December 18, 2014 -January 18, 2015 Treading the boards of the Norwich Theatre Royal stage in West Side Story has proved such a positive experience for two of the cast members, they will be returning to the city in December to take on the roles of Peter Pan and Tiger Lily in the Christmas panto.

When the curtain rises on the show on December 18, Charlotte Baptie, who plays Rosalia in West Side Story, will be the boy who never grew up, Peter Pan, while Sinead Kenny, who is Consuela in the musical, will be taking on the dual roles of Tiger Lily and Mrs Darling.

They join an all-star cast which includes Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street’s Curly Watts), CBeebies presenter Sid Sloane, Cromer Pier favourite Ben Langley and the venue’s panto mainstay Richard Gauntlett. Ruth Betteridge, who played Cinderella in last year’s show, is also returning as Wendy.

excited to be playing a boy - that’s the thing I am looking forward to most and the flying too. I’ve not done any of that before so that’s going to be the hardest learning experience, but I can’t wait to get started.

She has worked with Richard Gauntlett in Gilbert and Sullivan presentations and said: “I hear that Richard has all sorts of things planned for the staging with lots of special effects, so I think it’s going to be hard work but lots of fun too.”

After graduating in musical theatre, Sinead made her professional theatre debut in 9 to 5, visiting the Theatre Royal in February 2013 during the musical’s UK tour. She has played Tiger Lily before, in a 2010 Peter Pan panto, while other theatre credits include Christmas in New York, the Olivier

Awards 2011 and the Not Forgotten Society’s 90th anniversary concert.

She said: “Getting the part of Tiger Lily has been a big surprise and I am really, really happy to be doing it. I think the character is a strong independent woman. She’s very sassy and feisty, not your standard Disney Princess who is looking for love, although she does fancy Peter Pan. But she is strong on her own terms and not scared of the pirates or Captain Hook, so it will be fun to act, and I hope I’ll get to do as much dancing and singing as possible in the role.

“I’ve enjoyed being back in Norwich as much as my first time here last year. I love the Theatre Royal. The stage is probably the perfect size and we always have fantastic audiences here. West Side Story has sold out

Charlotte will be in fine voice for her role as Peter Pan as she has an operatic background having trained in Vocal Performance with the Trinity Laban Conservatoire through a mentor scheme at English National Opera.

Previous musical roles have included Phyllis in Iolanthe and Melissa in Princess Ida with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company at Buxton Opera House.

Charlotte said she was thrilled to be finally taking on a ‘trouser role’ having not done one before. “I’m really

Mark Hazell, of Norwich Theatre Royal, said: “We and the audiences have been very impressed with the high standard of singing, dancing and acting from Charlotte and Sinead in West Side Story here. We’re delighted they are joining our panto cast after what must be one of the longest auditions in history, having been seen on our stage nightly over a two-week period.”

While all the main roles have now been announced, the theatre will be on the search for a professional chorus with auditions taking place in London next Friday on September 19. From the 90plus contenders invited to audition, the numbers will be whittled down to four female and four male performers who will play various roles including pirates, lost boys and mermaids.

And on Sunday, September 21, an open audition is being held at the theatre in Norwich for young boys to play Michael and John in the show with a playing age of six to ten.

More information about the open audition can be found on the home page of the Norwich Theatre Royal website at www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

She said she was thrilled to know she will be returning to the city for Christmas: “The Norwich panto is one of the biggest and best in the country so I am really happy to be a part of it.

“Being here in West Side Story has been amazing. This is our last venue and we’ve been touring for over a year, so it’s mixed emotions at the moment – we’re all tired from a long run but you become like a family on tour. Norwich is a lovely venue to finish on and it makes it a little less hard to leave when you know you are coming back again.”

most nights and we have had a great reception at the end of each show, so I’m looking forward to being back here at Christmas when it is all really festive.”

Listing: Peter Pan, Thursday 18 December 2014-Sunday 18 January 2015.

Tickets £5.50-£21. Discounts for Over60s, Under-18s and Groups. Underthrees free.

Cap’n Hook aka Kevin Kennedy www.FineCity.co.uk

Signed performances on Saturday 17 January at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Audio-described performances on Sun 11 January at 1pm and Friday 16 January at 6.30pm.

Relaxed performance especially suited for those with autism on Wednesday 14 January at 5.30pm. BOX OFFICE 01603 630000.

For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

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FINE MOTORS

Tiger Lily aka Sinead Kenny Peter Pan aka Charlotte Baptie Cook aka Sid Sloane Smee aka Richard Gauntlett Ben Langley aka Starkey Cap’n Hook aka Kevin Kennedy

FINE ENTERTAINMENT

Auditions Attract Nearly 100 Boys To Test For Peter Pan Production Casting event proves to be great success Jane Walsh, executive producer Well we had nearly 100 young boys wanting to audition and they were really brilliant. It has been a terribly difficult choice to narrow that down to 10 boys. It is great to see youngsters come from all over the county and beyond, be very enthusiastic and do these sorts of things.

It is really only for Peter Pan that we would look for young boys for extra speaking parts. It is a really nice opportunity.

By the time you get to the end of the audition, it is quite heart- breaking because we know all the boys at the end can do it on stage but it tends to come down to who looks better with who. Height is also a consideration.

These factors all make it a very difficult choice.

John Darling cast Felix Spencer, 11, Swanton Morley (his brother Leo is also cast as Michael Darling..see below) At first, I didn’t know what to think when I found out I got the part. The auditions started off with doing some marching, some moves and using your face but it got harder.

I know my school is going to the panto so I will have to tell them the dates.

I have been in the panto before as a Babe but I am overwhelmed at the moment and I can’t really take it all in.

performed on stage before but never anywhere as big as the Theatre Royal but I think it will be OK. Sol Joseph, 10, Norwich I am really excited. I really am. I have never been in such a long audition. I have done auditions in school where you just sing a song and you don’t have to do anything individually. It is going to be awesome flying. I like heights and rock-climbing so it will be great. There is going to be a lot of pressure being in the pantomime but it is going to be really, really cool and fun.

Michael Darling cast Leo Spencer, 7, Swanton Morley I was really excited when I got the part and I wanted to be in the pantomime with my brother. I think it is going to be awesome acting with him. My family will think it is good I got the part and I think some of my friends are going to come and watch me.

talked about being on stage when I was at home. When I first got on stage, it will be scary but then I will get used to it. My friends and family will think I am good. When they called my name out for the second round, my mum was crying because she was so excited I got to the next stage of the audition today.

Justin Podlipski, 9, Eaton Well, I was shocked when I got the part but really excited because I didn’t think I would get it. The first part of the audition was quite easy but the second part was harder, and it got harder as it went on. The hardest part was when we had to do a bit of dialogue, but that was also the most fun part. When my parents find out I have the part, they will probably cry.

I really like acting so it will be good to go on the stage and show how I can act.

Chanze Sharma, 12, Cringleford I was really excited when I found out I had got a part. I was really surprised as I never thought I would get a part. The audition was really fun and the dancing was quite hard. I enjoyed the reading and I also really enjoyed the acting. I have never done an audition like this before. I never thought I would get the part.

My friends and family will be really excited.

Felix DaSilvawinner, 11, Norwich I was really excited and surprised when I got the part. I thought it would be really tough and when I got to the second round, I thought it was going to be really tough. It is really surprising I got through. I got used to it in the end. I think my friends and family will be pleased. I already do drama classes and I think they were half expecting me to get the part.

Understudies Freddy Lowe, 10, Cringleford

Joseph Barlow, 8, Isleham, near Ely

It is good to get the part. It was quite hard work even to get the understudy part. When they said they had made a decision, my stomach lurched and did a front flip but I was pleased with the result. We had to keep repeating scenes with different pairs and different combinations of boys. I have done an audition for a school play before but nothing like this. I think my friends and family will be proud of me.

I thought I wasn’t going to get the part. When I heard my name, I jumped up and down loads of times.

This is the first time I have ever auditioned but not the first time I have been on a stage. I do an acting and dancing class so I have done some shows there. The auditions were fun but hard. I liked saying the lines on stage. It is going to be fun in the panto. I am not so sure about the flying although I do like heights.

Charlie Boast, 7, Taverham I thought it was a bit exciting and I didn’t know I would get the part. When I heard I got the part, I was amazed.

For the first part of the audition, I had to do some kicks and some dancing, and then we had to go through our words and do actions with them. It was quite fun because I like doing acting and I like doing singing and dancing.

I am not afraid of heights either because I can climb high walls. We

Auditions in full swing at The Theatre Royal, Norwich

Louis Miller, 12, Long Stratton Well when I was first told, I almost broke down because I was so pleased. I have never auditioned for a professional show but I have auditioned for school before. The audition was pretty tough and I was surprised I got through the first round.

Getting into the second round was amazing and then to get the part was incredible. My mum will be so pleased and my friends will be excited and asking when they can see it. I have

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Issue 35 2014

FINE ENTERTAINMENT

FINE ENTERTAINMENT

Craig Revel Horwood To Star As ‘Miss Hannigan’ In The UK And Ireland Tour Of “Annie” “ANNIE” will arrive at Norwich Theatre Royal on Monday 17th August 2015 at Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday 22nd August as part of a yearlong tour Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks.

Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.

Craig Revel Horwood is probably best known as a judge on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. His West End Theatre credits include: ‘Munkustrap’ in “Cats” at the New London Theatre, “Miss Saigon” at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and ‘Harry’ in “Crazy for You” at the Prince Edward Theatre which took him to the US and Germany before re-creating the show for Susan Stroman in South Africa.

Other theatre credits in his native Australia include: “West Side Story”, the Australian and New Zealand tour of “The Danny La Rue Show”; “La Cage Aux Folles”; “Me and My Girl” and ‘Norman’ in the hit comedy play “Ladies Night”.

“ANNIE” will be directed by Nikolai Foster. Recently named as the new artistic director at Curve in Leicester; his most recent theatre credits include: “Calamity Jane”, “The Witches of Eastwick” and the 20th Anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s “Beautiful Thing” in the West End. “ANNIE” is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

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FINE ENTERTAINMENT

The Modern Alchemist – November 3rd Fireballs and spectacular science stunts are on the cards when an exciting show heads to Norwich Theatre Royal to prove chemistry can be cool The Modern Alchemist aims to echo the work of medieval alchemists who entertained their Royal masters with exciting experiments.

Unlike days of yore, the secrets of the alchemists work will be revealed during the show to give the audience a taste of the world of science.

The production, which takes to the stage on November 3, is being produced by the Royal Institution which is best known for its televised Christmas Lectures.

It will be presented live on stage by Peter Wothers, a teaching Fellow with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge. He said: “This tour is an opportunity to build on the work I did with the Royal Society of Chemistry during the development of the 2012 Christmas Lectures. I also think it is hugely important to make chemistry accessible to new audiences, which is also one of the fundamental principles of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Royal Charter and the work of the Royal Institution.”

One of the other main aims is to encourage the younger generation to get interested in the world of science.

Dr Wothers explains: “Most importantly, the tour is fantastic fun to take part in and is always met with enthusiasm from audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

The Royal Institution is always looking for new ways to engage more people, young and old.”

The visit to Norwich Theatre Royal has already proved incredibly popular with schools and families around the region.

The venue’s John Bultitude explains: “The matinee performance of the show is already sold out but we still have seats left for the evening show at 7pm. This is a great chance for all the family to find out that science is spectacular and chemistry is cool.”

Listing: The Modern Alchemist, Monday 3rd November at 1pm and 7pm.

Tickets £5-£8.

Please note the 1pm performance is totally sold out.

Discounts for Friends.

To book, please call the box office on 01603 63 00 00 or log onto www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Issue 35 2014

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Oscar Wilde, Alan Bennett & Test Match Special!

An eclectic mix of theatre and fun at the Maddermarket this month THE NORWICH PLAYERS Present THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

by Oscar Wilde Directed by Jeffrey Davies Thursday 23rd October to Saturday 1st November 7.30pm TICKETS £12.00 / £10.00 /£8.00 Matinée 2.30pm - SAT 1st NOV

To quote Wilde himself, “The Importance of Being Earnest is exquisitely trivial, a delicate bubble of fancy. But it has its philosophy; that we should treat all trivial things of life seriously and all the serious things with sincere and studied triviality”.

This famous delightful comedy should not be missed!

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is regarded by many as his best and most popular play. A satire targeting Victorian upper-crust society; their behaviour and expectations, marriage (two young ladies who will only marry a man if his name is Earnest), religion, and the Arts.

BROAD HORIZONS THEATRE COMPANY presents GREEN FORMS by Alan Bennett

Wilde weaves this into an elegant comedy with some of the most quotable lines of any play, such as ‘To lose one parent … may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose both looks like carelessness’.

Doris and Doreen are comfortable in their obscure little department of a large organisation. Whether Personnel have stolen their sink plug again is their biggest issue and only visits from the radical post

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courier enliven their day.

So who is the mystery woman who is requisitioning replacement plugs and blinds for their office from afar? What can it all mean? Alan Bennett’s one-act play has all the humour we expect from this wry observer life. www.broadhorizonstheatre.com

Monday October 13th to Friday October 17th Lunchtime in the Rehearsal Room – 1.20pm Seats £7 (Conc. £6)

BLOFELD & BAXTER: MEMORIES OF TEST MATCH SPECIAL Sunday 12th October 7.30pm - All Seats £18.50 Henry Blofeld returns to his Norfolk roots!

Following a triumphant return season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a BBC

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Radio 4 show and a sell-out 28 date UK tour, Henry Blofeld and Peter Baxter invite you to join them for a behind the scenes exclusive of what makes TMS so special.

Hear tall tales from across the globe from Brian Johnston to Jonathan Agnew and discover the extraordinary escapades of players both on and off the pitch. They will regale you with even more untold stories from memory lane and offer ‘direct from the booth’ insights from the Ashes and a summer of cricket.

Henry ‘My Dear Old Thing’ Blofeld is one of Britain’s most loved broadcasters and a bastion of the cricketing community. He is as notorious for his hilarious observations as he is for his astute cricket commentary.

Peter Baxter was the brain behind TMS for over 34 years; the man tasked with the unenviable position of corralling Henry and his cohorts around the world.

Together they offer a hilariously entertaining show for both cricket and non-cricket lovers alike.

NORFOLK YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE Presents THE ADDAMS FAMILY A new musical comedy.

Wednesday November 5th to Saturday November 8th at 7.30pm plus Saturday Matinee 2.30pm Prices – Opening Night and Sat. Mat. – All Seats £12 – on the edge and economy seats £10 Thurs to Sat £14 / £12 / £10 – Family Tickets £45 (2 Full 2 Conc) On the edge and economy seats £10 Based on the hilarious 1960’s TV comedy, the wonderful ADDAMS FAMILY comes to devilishly delightful life in this magnificently macabre new musical comedy created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice with music by Andrew Lippa. THE ADDAMS FAMILY is every father’s nightmare.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable!! family. And if that weren’t

upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother.

FINE ENTERTAINMENT

Come and meet the weirdest family ever – we’ll leave the lights off for you! www.norfolkymt.net RAT PACK VEGAS SPECTACULAR SHOW Sunday 9Th November 7.30Pm All Seats £20.00 Purveyors of Cool swing into town with The Greatest Music of the 20th Century Wonderful memories - totally live show - successful worldwide Every song a classic - Come Fly with Me, Volare, That’s Amore, Under My Skin, Mr Bojangles, Mack The Knife, and many more of your favourites.

The BBC summed it up in just one word - MAGNIFICENT!

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FINE PEOPLE

Suffolk & Norfolk Youth Action More Talk - More Action .... SNYA Ambassadors The Cromer Carnival Week is held during August and after 45 years they certainly know how to put one on. Various events, such as a car treasure hunt, dog shows, gymkhana and wrestling, to name but a few, are held throughout the week around the sea-side town, culminating in the Carnival Day on the Wednesday.

The days leading up to the carnival day put most other carnivals in the shade with a spectacular air display from East Anglia’s premier aerobatic display team, The Wild Cats, based at Old Buckenham in South Norfolk and the Joseph Pearce Fire Stunt Show.

Cromer and Sheringham Operatic and Dramatic Society (C SODS) float”. Sandra went on to say that “this is the second procession we have taken part in and we really enjoyed them. This one took about an hour and a half and the streets were packed with people shoulder to shoulder all the way around” I asked Louis how he became involved with the Carnival and he told me he had performed in Cromer’s production of Oliver and his mom is going to audition

drama group in Attleborough.” Louis continued “I am auditioning for a part in the chorus of Aladdin at Fakenham District Light Operatic Society and for a part in Cinderella with the Dereham Operatic Society Youth Theatre Company.

When we have finished tonight I am going to ask mom if I can audition for Bugsy Malone at Harleston Players Youth Theatre Company, as I would love to do that show. I love Carnivals BRING ON THE CARNIVALS”

The actual Carnival Day saw ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalists, the ‘Bolddog Lings FMX Team’, doing their motorcycle display in front of their home crowd. Three of the riders come from Cromer, Harleston and Dereham. Following that spectacular start, the ‘Red Arrows’ display team, now in their 50th display season, roared over our heads before completing an eyelevel display over the sea. After stunning the crowds with their tight display and plenty of the much loved red, white and blue vapour it was back to the main arena for a breath taking performance from The Devil’s Horsemen, a Cossack trick riding group that left the crowd gasping, cheering then clapping at their horsemanship.

After the procession, I caught up with Louis and his mom, Sandra Miller, from Long Stratton. They told me “they had been singing and dancing as part of the

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The event had a pirate theme with lots of traditional games such as three legged races and egg and spoon race.

Attleborough Players, Touring Cast, performed ‘Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate’ and other events included a Treasure Hunt and a game of throwing the stones into floating hoops in the pond. Each Hoop had a number and once your score reached over 16 you won a prize.

Look out for this quintessential British Summer Party again in 2015.

SNYA Recording Studio SNYA recording studio has remained busy this summer. This time we were visited by Attleborough’s Got Talent Runners Up 2014, ‘Long Time Dead’.

It was great fun working with these guys as we recorded and mixed their demo CD to be used with perspective clients. In September we are recording the band Vanilla Fuzz and we have also taken many enquiries from bands that we have worked with over the summer period.

Auction As financial cutbacks bite hard for Suffolk and Norfolk Youth Action, we have been utilising online auctions and selling sites to sell our desks, chairs, and filing cabinets to replace our core funding. On Saturday 23rd August we put our treasured Elephant sculptures into an auction over at Diss.

The Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps from Essex entertained the crowds with music as diverse as military marches, film themes, popular music, and brass classics. The youth military style marching band invited the young children from the audience to march with them.

This was spectacular as there must have been about an additional one hundred children joining the march behind the band.

On the evening, the Carnival Parade assembled and the streets became packed with Cromer resident’s and holiday makers. Music was provided by the Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps, the Smokehouse Blues Marching Band and the Norwich Samba Band. There were many local groups, charities, and businesses present, walking on foot and travelling on the back of huge lorries.

Entrance and parking was free and for those that did not bring their own picnic there was a BBQ, where you could purchase hotdogs or burgers. And very tasty they were too - well done chef!

for a part in C SODS production of Copacabana, next year. I asked, so what’s with the outfit “I am just a boy in tights and pink nail varnish! We were told to wear something bright and colourful so this is it. All my mates from the cast of Oliver are here and we got our photo taken for the EDP. I was a bit taken aback to hear my name being shouted out as I walked the streets of Cromer but then I recognised my friends from my other

Summer Party at Rockland Manor Of course, summer doesn’t have to be all spend, spend, spend! SNYA Radio visited Rockland Manor just outside Attleborough on Saturday 24th August. Now, this was an event with a difference, it did not cost anything. The day was a Summer Party in Rockland Manor Meadow, courtesy of Mr and Mrs Burroughes.

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Now I had never been to an auction before so this was very exciting for me. The local paper ran an article about our elephants and the fine art and art auction that was about to take place. So there I was amongst these frightfully posh people, not daring to cough or even scratch my ear just in case I accidentally bid on a few hundred pounds worth of picture.

The way it works is there are about fifty or so people in the auction room, two assistants on-line and two more on telephones. Each lot (Painting) is displayed around the room and when they come up for auction, they are displayed on two Plasma TV’s each side of the auctioneer. A man walks around

FINE PEOPLE

in time with the auction pointing and showing the painting to those present.

The auctioneer starts the auction at a price she would like to get for it. Now at this point one of two things happen, either deathly silence or all hell breaks loose with people trying to hold up their ID card to bid for the item.

The people on the computers start shouting out their bids and the telephone operatives make sure their clients bids are received too. However, if the first thing happens, then the auctioneer reduces the price to get the buyers interested. Now this doesn’t mean that the item is being given away on the cheap, it just means that the people with the money are holding back so as not to show their hand.

The price usually ends up in excess of the original auctioneers asking price and if it doesn’t then it is withdrawn from the auction as ‘not sold’. Our Elephants were on last so as I nervously waited our turn, I could hear a man who obviously knew his art stuff looking at our elephants and scoffing “someone has added one too many zero’s on that price.”

My confidence dropped even further as more and more modern art was not being bid on (Not Sold) and more and more people were leaving the room.

Those that had successfully bid on artwork earlier in the day were now making more noise than the auctioneer as they collected their new prized possessions and left. So here we were, a few of us left and up came the elephants on the TV’s.

My stomach turned and I thought I should have gone to the toilet earlier.

The auctioneer said “who is going to start me off at £1,500………….. nothing, not a peep.

I felt sick, she spoke again but I could not hear, or I don’t remember her words, then she said “come on who is going to get us started at £1,000”. The lady on the computer shouted ‘me on the computer’ and then a man on the front row, who had been sitting there from the outset (I thought he was just someone out for a day out) put his card up and nervously said £1,100 and then the bidding started and then stopped just as quickly, just short of the

asking price. What would they do, the auctioneer shouted sold and down went the gavel.

Then it was the second elephant’s turn and the auctioneer started ‘so who wants to get me stated at £1,400?’

I looked over to the computer and telephone people, they shook their heads. I glanced back at our first buyer, who looked like he was about to leave.

The auctioneer asked “don’t you want both of them “he looked back at her and said no I just want that elephant” and left. It was all over; I too left with mixed feelings that we had raised a bit of money but sadness as I momentarily remembered all the children and young people that had worked on our elephant at the 2008 Go Elephant trail in Norwich. My final thought though was ‘who was that man and why did he want our elephant?’

Suffolk and Norfolk Youth Action are still looking for a sponsor, inspiration or someone to buy our elephant. If you can help, please email office@snyouthaction.org.uk Exchange2 Harleston As part of our youth work commitment to young people, we provide youth workers for other organisations in Norfolk and Suffolk. One such place is a drop-in centre called Exchange2 over at Harleston on the Norfolk/Suffolk boarder. The nature of a drop-in centre means that you are not sure who is going to turn up or at what time but it is a great deal of fun.

map of the layout of the gaming area.

The idea of the game is gain points by shooting your opponents and even more for destroying their base.

The transport dropped us off at the front door of the venue and we met our opposing team for the first time. They were a bigger group of mixed aged girls and boys. Some of their children volunteered to be on our side to balance the sides and the battle commenced.

The battle raged for forty minutes with lots of attacking and defending. Lasers could be seen hitting and missing each other, some even shooting our own team (or was that just me?).

The sweat dripped down our faces (or was that just me?) as swarms of the enemy soldiers entered our camp to destroy the base. The thing about this is once your camp is destroyed an alarm goes off and lasers are shot in all direction hitting anyone who is foolish enough to stand in the way.

‘Run’ someone screamed (or was that just me) and then the game was over.

We had lost, we were destroyed and humiliated but it was only a game so it was back on the bus where the score cards were handed out and we all had to listen to pitiful excuses about guns not working, hits not been counted and lights not going out (or was that just me?).

The nice thing about this, is that the majority of the young people that we were able to take would not normally have access to this type of

Thank you to Boarderhoppa and the Trustees of Exchange2 from the youth workers and young people, for without your tireless fundraising this would not be possible.

Mustard TV We were invited to Mustard TV in Norwich during August; where two anchor people interviewed Stephen Thomas about SNYA Cinema, now being delivered in Wymondham. This was quite an experience and very different from the radio broadcasts that we are familiar with.

I was taken into the studio that contains two settees, one for presenters Darren Eadie and Beth Davison and the other for the guest. Now for those that keep up with all things SNYA, you will know that we used to be homed in EPIC TV Studios when it was owned by Norfolk County Council but I was not expecting this state-of- the-art set up.

The back of the room was a complete green screen and so was half the table.

The cameras appeared to be giant webcams and operated by a controller in the mixing room; very different to the ‘Darleck esq’ cameras on stands that we are familiar with. I was mic’d up and voice and camera checks were undertaken. The presenters were very reassuring to my pitiful claims of nerves and we were soon recording. No soon as we got started, it was all over; I hope I wasn’t too boring!

During the school summer holidays, when most youth provision providers stop delivering, we decided that we would increase our proposition in Harleston. This included Saturday and Tuesday evening activities with free trips for these rurally isolated young people.

So in receipt of a small grant from Cllr.

Jeremy Savage (South Norfolk Council) and in association with Borderhoppa, the new community bus scheme, we set off for a couple of hours of fun at Quasar Elite in Norwich.

This is a laser gun game that you play in teams. You are given a body jacket with sensor pads on the front and back and a laser gun to shoot with. You are led into a pre-brief room where you are told the rules of the game and shown a

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Issue 35 2014 49

FINE PEOPLE

Robert Ashton

FINE PEOPLE

Pete Goodrum Meets The Barefoot Entrepreneur

Pete Goodrum Writer, Broadcaster

Robert Ashton is a man with firm views and a multi-faceted career. In a fascinating conversation I found out a lot about what makes him tick

We’re lunching on coffee and cake, which some would say is a little unusual for two middle aged men in the middle of the week. But then Robert Ashton doesn’t do conventional. What he does do though is see a clear vision for commerce, and charities, in a changing world. I begin by asking about his origins………..

Mr Ashton arrived in the world in 1955, via the Clacton Maternity Ward. His parents worked at Barclays Bank and his father’s various moves around the company’s branches meant that the young Robert lived variously in Manningtree, Needham Market, and Leiston. Schooling was in itself conventional, until he was eleven, when what was perhaps the first instance of rebellion arose. ‘I failed the Eleven Plus’, he says. ‘On purpose’. It takes no probing from me, but rather a moment’s reflection from Robert, for him to add that he probably did that not as snub to the educational system, but a gesture of defiance to his father.

As pupils who’d not passed the exam did in the 1960s he went next to the local Secondary Modern School. By the age of fourteen he had a weekend job on a farm, and not long after, via college in Ipswich and Chelmsford, he gained an HND. He’d also got to know his weekend employer’s daughter who, later, he would marry.

In fact the farming job had sown other seeds too as he entered the world of work as a Technical Sales Representative for Fisons. Surely, I ask, this application to working at the weekends, gaining a qualification and securing a job had eased relations with his father. ‘Hmm’, reflects Robert, ‘I think he liked the ‘Technical’ bit of my job title, but not the ‘Sales’ word’.

But Robert liked sales. And he was good at it. He sold fertilizer, built client relationships and climbed the ladder.

The next posting brought promotion and a move to Lincoln. In a typically self-effacing, and wincingly accurate, comment on the sales force structures

52 Issue 35 2014

of the day he adds, ‘It got me a pay rise and another letter on the back of the company Sierra’.

Married and moved again to North Yorkshire he now began to see changes in the industry. From a salesman’s point of view the products had become commodities, and that unsettled him.

Seeing the chance to shift his role, in 1986, he applied for, and got, the job of Marketing Services Manager for Norsk Hydro, as Fisons had now become. And he started to enjoy his work again. It was a national role, it plugged him in to the creative aspect of marketing and it put him in touch with advertising and marketing agencies.

He doesn’t dwell on the partnership ending, which it did in 1997. It’s not his style. Capable of nostalgia he’s not given to ‘what ifs’ or looking back.

In 1997 he certainly looked ahead. He formed The Marketing Catalyst and with a small staff of designers and administrative people he started to explore a new area.

I can sense the change that brought for him, listening to him all these years later. He’s more engaged as he talks of the chance to actually think about the strategies, the customer and the bigger picture.

It was a time when bodies such as Business Link had begun to emerge and for Robert that opened up two key avenues. ‘I began to provide marketing advice for people in the interface between the public and private sectors’, is how he describes the activity. But behind that was the second revelation.

‘When I looked around I discovered that there was a wealth of academic business knowledge already documented, but not shared with those best able to benefit; small business owners. With more knowledge and more activity came more fuel to do things differently.

By now he and his and wife had two children, but family life was not the only thing changing. The company, and its market, was going through another period of transition. He saw it through but felt deflated when it was done. ‘I think too I was becoming tired of head office life’, he says. ‘So I looked around’.

But the pressure came too. He’s characteristically honest, but not needlessly detailed, when he says that by 2000 he’d begun to lose his way. It made him examine his own self- awareness, and self prescribed psychotherapy which he says, is perhaps the main reason I’m still here today.

What he found, in 1988, was a marketing role at Omar in Brandon. His brief was to take the mobile home manufacturer into the leisure market. It took him into the business exhibition circuit, traveling the country, and abroad. It also brought into focus the fact that Robert Ashton likes not just a challenge, but to do things differently. ‘I was always pushing to try new ways of approaching the problem’.

He left in 1990 and spent just under a year selling on a commission only basis for Allied Dunbar. By his own admission he was good at it. And, as if to justify the achievement he adds, ‘I’m competitive, so the targets and goals suited me.

That’s what made me good at it, although I did not enjoy selling insurance’.

He was bought out of The Marketing Catalyst, which with some irony seems to have been a catalyst for change.

He started to write, did a part time course at UEA, and his first book was soon published. Others would follow.

The current tally is seventeen, the latest,’ Sales for non-Salespeople’ was published by Hodder this summer.

‘I also started to work on marketing projects with people I knew’. He was now, he says, ‘Writing and doing stuff’. It’s another understatement.

He was engaging himself in a plethora of projects, including pro bono work for charities. ‘Always getting involved’ is how he describes it, but it’s deeper than that. Commercial and corporate relations, together with a zeal for raising awareness of Mental Health Charities were all now absorbing him.

Reading the local press one day he saw an opportunity at the newly formed Datadrum. He joined and for the next seven years was a partner in the marketing company working on a wide spread of clients, in all sorts of sectors.

Ignoring convention, a germ planted perhaps at the Eleven Plus, now meant that he was talking to charities not just

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about how to increase their income from donations, but how to run themselves better as the emerging third sector. There was, and is, a ‘flavour of activism’ about it all.

And it was around this time that the Barefoot Entrepreneur brand emerged.

Influenced by an African intern on his staff they talked to people who knew Robert. What emerged was a picture of a man with undoubted acumen and motivation, but who was also sensitive and liked to tread carefully. The brand encapsulates both facets. Barefoot Entrepreneur.

As we bring his story up to date Mr Ashton takes a moment to craft his next phrase. ‘It’s always been a logical progression’ he says. And as ever balances it with modesty and humour by adding ‘Even if it’s not always been planned’.

Continuing the reflective mood he goes on to say, ‘I’m never really content’. It comes as a shock from this seemingly content and certainly cheerful man. He explains though by saying that what he means by that is he’s ‘never really satisfied with what I’ve done’. Robert Ashton is competitive alright. He actually competes with himself in the race to do something well. Differently maybe, but well.

Currently his, abundant, energies are being put to use in helping less than successful charities ‘turn themselves around’. Amongst many other things he’s a Vice Patron of The Norfolk Community Foundation, and a Patron of Hertfordshire Action on Disabilty. He’s also heavily engaged in Swarm Apprenticeships, a social business of his own imagining that helps young people into work by helping them grow their employers’ businesses ‘The way to grow jobs is to grow businesses,’ he adds Through all of what he does now there’s a philosophy that is genuinely interesting.

Robert Ashton believes that in a postrecession economy people are becoming more aware of what they do, rather than what they make. ‘People want to buy from companies with a social

FINE PEOPLE

www.robertashton.co.uk Twitter - @robertashton1

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Issue 35 2014

FINE PEOPLE contin’d conscience. There is every reason to believe that it’s an attitude that can feed straight into the local economy’.

THE QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS! This belief is plainly heartfelt, but intellectually thought through as well as emotionally powered. ‘This is’, he says, ‘the era of smaller businesses. The social enterprise’.

We’ve talked for some time. A lot of coffee has been drunk. Looking back over his story the early years are relatively conventional, albeit tinged with a little rebellion. But, as his career has progressed Robert Ashton has arrived at a more imaginative place. In truth, some might find it hard to grasp exactly what he does do. In reality he operates in a space just a bit ahead of where many entrepreneurs are. It’s a space that many will follow him into.

He might, by his own admission, not always have had a plan, but has followed writer Douglas Adams, a man he describes as a ‘great philosopher’ who is quoted as having said: ‘I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.’

But make no mistake, Robert Ashton has a strategy and a philosophy now.

It’s innovative. It’s result driven. It’s also sensitive and caring. And that is the mix that is the man.

Academic or vocational?

In my experience both are important. I did badly at school, chose a vocational route, then later joined Mensa. My son has a Masters and my daughter a PhD and for them, the academic route was right. What really matters is that young people have the chance to make their own informed choices, unbiased by parental or teacher preference or aspiration.

For profit or charity?

Today, it is as important for a charity to be businesslike as it is for a business to have a visible social conscience. People are becoming as intolerant of exploitation as they are of righteous tin-shaking. Social enterprise is a growing trend as people try to balance profit with people and planet. But where we will end up, is not where it is right now!

Golf or squash?

I loathe them both. Not because they are bad for you but because I prefer to challenge and compete with myself rather than with anyone else. That’s why I go to the gym regularly and recently bought myself a new, fast road bike. I don’t do competitive or social sport.

City or country?

I worked on farms from the age of 14 and even now, have 2.5 acres and a classic tractor. It’s important to me to be in sync with the seasons and the farming cycle. It’s one of the reasons I cycle too, to see what’s happening on the land

Naji Malak - Founder of Elements of Health Naji hasn’t always lived in Norfolk. Born in Beirut, he lived during the civil war in his teenage years. Having witnessed suffering, trauma and fighting, first-hand through close personal relationships with many affected by warfare, the rehabilitation of soldiers has always been a subject close to his heart. So much so, it has formed the basis of a strong motivation for his life’s work He came to England in 1976 to begin his training in Acupuncture, which is where he also obtained his MA in Acupuncture, specialising in the treatment of emotional, mental and physical trauma. After he graduated, he worked with addicts in south London whilst establishing his central practice in west London.

In 1989 he began studying Chinese Herbal Medicine as well as Chinese Facial Diagnosis, the latter is used to assess health, personality and character.

Whilst studying Chinese Herbal Medicine, he set up the London College of Traditional Acupuncture in 1992.

Throughout all of his work and education in the UK, he has also maintained his practice of treating those

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that have and still are suffering in his home country. He treats those who were soldiers on both sides of the war as well as surviving prisoners of war.

He has been working in Norwich since the establishment of his practice Elements of Health, located on Bethel Street, in 1998. Here he has recruited a professional team of practitioners that are the backbone of his work, the recently formed charity Stand Easy, which aims to support soldiers of the United Kingdom that have experienced post traumatic stress.

The team at Elements of Health also helps the wider community at large, by providing alternative therapies and treatments ranging from massage, meditation, counseling, acupuncture to physiotherapy. For more go to: www.elementsofhealth.co.uk

Not only has Naji spent his professional life mastering traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, he has also trained in London with American service members in methods of acupuncture that specialize in treating acute pain and trauma on the nervous system.

Over the past year he has treated his patients at Elements of Health using the techniques taught to myself by the American servicemen and where his patients have wielded great results.

All of the practitioners at Elements of Health are accredited and Naji is also a member of the British Acupuncture Council as well as being on the register of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Naji lives in Stokesby where he spends his free time connecting with nature: He

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enjoys gardening, long woodland walks and horse riding on the beach with his wife.

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FINE ART

Terry Larwood Although “the Larwoods” have dwelled in Norfolk since the 1500s, where Terry’s ancestors were craftsmen in Horsham St. Faith’s, before this time, his roots are linked to the Celts in Scotland

Terry has been fascinated by sculpture and pottery for many years. Recently, his passion for nature and wildlife has inspired him to create a series of clay sculptures of hares. It’s also possible that inspiration has come from his Celtic ancestry, in the way that the Celtic tribes respected and revered hares in their rituals.

A certain mystic surrounds the hare, partly due to its agility and their ability to out run predators by leaping a good 15 feet in the air, landing several meters away from its original path, eluding anything trying to follow. The hare is shown in many religions as a symbol of rebirth and hares have been known to sit in a circle at dusk.

Terry makes each hare slight different, and as people are different but also in many ways, the same, he crafts each hare with its own personal and unique quirk. Also an avid wildlife photographer, Terry has captured many wild animals such as the hare on camera in the fields of North Norfolk, which he uses to inspire his work. He uses a unique mix of clay with earth tones and each piece takes weeks to sculpt, and although he is of the opinion that art can never be finished and always improved, he stops when the hare seems to take on a personality of its own.

Terry Larwood has been practising Buddhism for over twenty years. He is a qualified ceramics teacher and has participated in many Tibetan Buddhism courses and retreats. Terry has also worked with ceramics, pottery and students with special needs for over three decades, working within both public and private: hospitals, day centres and schools, rehabilitation centres for drug and alcohol dependency. He also conducts independent pottery workshops for all levels and abilities and offers 1:1 tutoring and teaches meditation with clay.

He lives with his wife, two cats and Bantam hen chickens – coincidentally, in the neighbouring village to where his ancestors once lived.

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FINE ART

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Terry’s ceramic hares can be found in various galleries across East Anglia including: • Holkham Hall (North Norfolk) • Burnham Grapevine (Burnham Market) • Coastal Country (Burnham Market) • Appleyard Gallery (Holt) • Jade Gallery (Elm Hill, Norwich) • Serena Hall Gallery (Southwold, Suffolk) • Fabulous Frames (Upper St Giles, Norwich)

FINE GARDENS

Posh Plants - Dress To Impress!

Written by Sue Huckle of Posh Plants If you are thinking of selling your house its well worth considering adding some greenery in the form of some Posh Plants.

A pair of stylish bay trees near the front door and some elegant palms indoors will make a world of difference!

Why not hire some beautiful topiary and interior plants to dress your property to sell?

The addition of some carefully placed plants will greatly improve and capitalise on the “first impression” that a potential buyer will have.

There’s a bit of a “buzz” in the housing market at the moment, maybe its that window of opportunity between the end of the summer holidays and the craziness of christmas.

If you are thinking about selling stand back and look objectively at the house as a new buyer would. The house needs to look at its best and

the addition of some stylish topiary plants outside will enhance the overall appearance.

Helen McDermott’s lovely house in the centre of Norwich dates from the 1600’s. It’s full of character and thanks to us, now full of plants!

Not sure how to give the exterior of her property the “wow” factor it deserved Helen contacted me and is thrilled with the transformation that the plants have made in the courtyard garden and inside.

Her house is beautifully decorated throughout and we added some structural palms in the reception rooms and some splashes of colour in the kitchen with these lively peppers!

Posh Plants will give an instant feeling of warmth and wellbeing to any property, from the contemporary to the ancient. Bringing the outside in with plants will add a certain style that only living green Posh Plants can!

FINE HOMES

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Issue 35 2014

Main Image: Chris Sargisson

FINE PROPERTY

Q&A With House Revolutions Founder, Chris Sargisson Revolutionary Estate Agent, Chris Sargisson under the spotlight Its eight years since Chris launched his lower priced disruptive estate agency, House Revolution. Despite a difficult recession the company has grown, selling in excess of 70 million pounds worth of local property and reportedly saving the average customer thousands of pounds in fees. Judging by the online feedback people love it. The business is undergoing a significant brand ‘refresh’ and gearing up to grow and expand but have they got the model right?

You describe your business as disruptive. What does that actually mean?

Disruptive is the term used when a business sets out to improve a service in a way that the market doesn’t really expect. Typically by working within an industry to find ways to significantly lift and improve the customer experience.

Think ‘Branson’ and Virgin airlines. He didn’t improve and reduce the cost of transatlantic flight by buying old planes with an engine missing and using cheaper airports; he broke the British Airways cartel, took unnecessary

cost of out the business and used his vast experience of air travel to create an experience which was more comfy, tastier, slicker and a bit ‘funky.’

Consumers have been saying for a very long time that estate agency offers poor value for money. House Revolution is ‘doing a Branson.’ Evolving estate agency to make it lower cost and consumer focused.

Lots of talk about online estate agency, is this the same thing as you?

Hmmm not really although our first incarnation back in 2006 was an online business but we soon evolved.

The internet has significantly improved estate agents ability to market their properties. It’s faster, provides ‘worldwide’ reach, is available 24/7 and is significantly cheaper compared to the old days of multiple branches and newspapers.

All estate agents, every single one of them fully embrace the ‘online‘ as their chosen way to market and sell properties either via

portals such as Rightmove or Zoopla or their own websites. It’s why buyers don’t walk through estate agents doors anymore and why we can service the whole of Norfolk from one branch.

Why did we evolve? Well, the internet provides many things but personal service is not one of them. Without people who know what they are doing then the wheels start to come off a house sale quite quickly. Finding a buyer is about 20% of the agents’ job and online agents only talk about finding buyers online (and being cheap) which means 80% of the work you require isn’t going to be done.

What have you learnt in the last 8 years?

A couple of things. Firstly, considering that we have now sold hundreds of homes saving customers money and making lots of people happy along the way I know the business works.

From relatively humble beginnings we have grown into an extremely effective and

accurately priced modern estate agency and I can say with real pride that there is no else in the market as low cost and as professional as we are.

Secondly, I now know the formula that improves estate agency: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Accurate fees – You should know (and therefore only charge) what it actually cost to sell a property which like most retailers should include a fair profit margin. Also don’t hide costs such as ‘set up’ or ‘cancellation fees.’

No tie-ins - No contractual minimum term means you’re always focused on keeping all our customers happy otherwise they will leave and go elsewhere.

Make your customers agenda your agenda - Deliver excellent service all the time and always be open, honest and transparent.

Use technology to improve the experience - All our customers are provided with a unique online ‘my House Revolution account’ allowing total access 24/7 to all house selling

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FINE HOMES

Blitz Your Dirty Floors With A Professional Clean!

Norwich business with a 10/10 customer satisfaction rate, shown by our top 3 ranking on Norfolk Trusted Trader scheme Blitz, Owned an managed by Danny since 2010, the Blitz team have provided services to hundreds of satisfied customers and have built up a reputation for excellence. We have maintained an 10/10 customer satisfaction rate, shown by our top 3 ranking on Norfolk Trusted Trader. This has been achieved by our continued code of conduct providing excellent service, customer satisfaction and impressive cleaning results.

We have specialist technical knowledge acquired through the (NCCA) National Carpet Cleaners Association , Blitz team technicians have the knowledge and understanding to provide the best cleaning results possible in the industry of Carpet, Upholstery & Hard floor cleaning today, which in turn gives you reassurance in us. We offer some of the fastest drying times in the industry, the most effective cleaning methods available on the market and an impressive percentage first time stain removals. Our machinery, chemicals and equipment and technical knowledge are of the highest quality available on the market today. With every job, we take great pride in advising and educating our customers to understand what service they

are receiving and to advise the most effective ways to preserve their carpets, upholstery & Hard floors for the future.

Prior to any work being carried out we can visit your home, survey and inspect your carpets, upholstery and hard floors, inspect and identify items being worked upon to highlight and advise any possible issues. Inspections can include carpet and upholstery identification, manufacturing faults, instillation problems, any ware and tear due to previous cleaning methods used and to identify all customers wants, needs and specifications.

All operators of Blitz Cleaned are qualified by the NCCA National Carpet Cleaners Association, The NCCA is the only nationally recognised trade association dedicated to the cleaning of carpets, hard flooring and soft furnishings. The NCCA membership comprises of fully insured companies and professionally trained technicians, we follow a Code of Practice and are recommended for a full range of services related to the carpet and upholstery cleaning industry.

This in turn allows our customers a

reassurance when choosing what business to use, which also gives you piece of mind in the knowledge that any works being carried out are being done so using only professional specialist operators.

We are part of the Norfolk Trusted Trader scheme and are the highest rated in our category for Carpet, Upholstery and Hard floor Cleaning.

We offer Eco friendly techniques too.

As an ethical business we offer a eco friendly chemical range and energy saving equipment and machinery, we achieve this by using our state of the art Eco friendly CFR Pro extraction machines, combined with CFR and prochem chemicals and equipment. Our carpet and upholstery cleaning machines have state of the art water recycling technology, our wands and hand tools have liquid atomising technology, therefore using less water.

We also offer low moisture systems as well. We have a eco friendly chemical range that reduces air toxins that are also non toxic to the environment.

T: 01603 520747 M: 07716 475415 W: www.blitzcleaned.com E: contact@blitzcleaned.com

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CARPETS: “Danny, the Managing Director, educated me in terms that I could understand, to keep my carpets clean in the future. This shows that they put their customers above everything else.” - Mrs Pelham, Gt. Moulton HARD FLOORS: “I have used Blitz before to clean my carpets and I called them back to clean my utility room floor, and was again thrilled with the work carried out. I would recommend them without hesitation and will continue to use them in the future.” Mr. Walsh, Norwich UPHOLSTERY: “Blitz were fantastic!

Their professional and honest service was completely refreshing. They were cheerful, polite and knowledgeable about their trade.

I’m thoroughly thrilled with my two piece suite, it looks brand new again!” - Mrs King, Thorpe End

Contact the team today by calling: 01603 520747 or 07716 475415 and get your free survey and quotation booked today!

FINE HOMES

Alcosa Engineering Ltd In 2003 we expanded our business introducing stoves, cookers and fireplaces, complementing our experience with heat and fire as former blacksmiths. This side of the company is now called ‘Alcosa’ and specialise in high end heating, refrigeration and cooking equipment Alcosa is dedicated in offering unrivaled quality and service; we will advise on the best product for you and carry out installation and commissioning in-fact everything from design and planning stage to completion.

We design custom fireplaces and build custom fireplaces to your requirements.

We have experience using all methods, cast in-situ, rigid stainless steel, modular and flexible stainless steel flue systems, and all work is carried out to the highest standards.

On completion of works a numbered data plate is affixed at the property and the installation registered with HETAS in accordance with current regulations.

At Alcosa you’ll find Clearview woodburning and multifuel stoves, traditional and contemporary stoves and the finest fireplaces, range cookers, and fireplace accessories in Norfolk. We have

Fantastic Fires

a fine showroom, with over 60 exquisite wood stoves, gas fires and cookers to view, many set in live displays.

Our diverse collection includes the impressive Clearview wood burning stoves, Harrie Leenders ceiling mounted and rotatable stoves, Piazzetta double and triple sided stoves and the elegant Rais stoves range. We also have Britannia, Redfyre and Steel Cuisine range cookers, and Gazco gas fires.

1 Penfold Drive, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0WZ T: 01953 602482 e-mail: info@alcosa.co.uk Opening Times: Monday – Saturday 9.00 – 5.00

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Exciting displays, beautiful showrooms, let our fires ignite your imagination

1 Penfold Drive, Wymondham NR18 0WZ | 01953 602482 | alcosa.co.uk

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• Garage Conversions • Garage Doors • Extensions • Fascia/Guttering • Repairs & Maintenance

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7/8 Denmark Opening, Sprowston Rd, Norwich, NR3 4JD

www.lesballsfencing.co.uk

Tel:01603 488894

www.1stclassbuilder.com

www.FineCity.co.uk

Issue 35 2014

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FINE HOMES

Salt Interiors - Bespoke Design For Your Home About Salt Interior Design....

Let Salt Interior Design help you create a space to love.

Salt Interiors is a small, friendly design company established by Holly Pagani and based in Norfolk. Holly is an experienced Interior Designer having trained and worked in the London interior design scene for 3 years before moving to Norwich in 2003.

home staging We are also able to help you prepare your home for selling. This involves an appraisal of the property which will help you highlight its best features and reorganise the areas which need change. It is so easy to get stuck in a rut when you are living somewhere for a while and it often takes a fresh eye to see what can be changed.

It may just be a case of de-cluttering or a simple rearrangement of furniture.

She approaches each new project with a fresh mind and will bring versatility, passion and individuality to each one to ensure your interior design is just what you hoped for.

Based in Norwich, Norfolk, Salt Interiors can offer a tailor made interior design service to meet your individual needs and requirements, whether it is a single blind to a full design project.

From traditional to contemporary style, family homes or commercial properties, Salt Interior Design can supply wallpapers, curtain poles and fabrics from leading suppliers, as well as offering a curtain and blind making service. She can also source and supply furniture and lighting to complement and advise on paint schemes.

Holly works throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond and is always happy to help and

Depending on your budget and needs,we will do our best to maximise its potential.

We would advise you to do this prior to the Agents taking photos, but it is never too late to add selling appeal and increase the chances of a quick sale.

advise on your interior design project.

“Holly’s Design ethos is one of attentiveness. She believes there is no need to be over the top and self-indulgent in her designs, preferring instead to listen to the

client and interpret their brief as closely as possible whilst introducing products and materials only available to designers” - EAST MAGAZINE interior design Each project is undertaken with a fresh approach because we know every client has a unique set of needs. We will work with you so that you can be confident that the finished project will truly show your own tastes and personality.

A gorgeous home should be a reflection of your character. We will help you achieve this by assessing the space and listening to your requirements - our goal is to help you realise your dreams. You can be assured that each design project will be unique and personal to you.

Previous projects have included interiors for country homes and London townhouses, Restaurants, Showhomes and a Boutique Hotel. We have access to some of the leading names in Interior Design such as Colefax & Fowler, Osborne & Little, Zoffany, Paint & Paper Library and GP&J Baker.

Our services range from consultations for colour schemes to a full design service including dressing and accessorising a finished space.

We work with a select list of trusted professionals and craftsmen to carry out that challenge. We also provide a comprehensive curtain and blind service with our vast library of fabrics and materials.

66 Issue 35 2014

www.FineCity.co.uk

commercial Our Commercial projects range from property development schemes, hotels, restaurants and bars to offices and reception areas. Our commitment is to creativity, quality and attention to detail, running projects efficiently and to budget.

We can specify and supply the materials, furnishings, fixtures and fittings that are appropriate for your project design and budget.

Transforming spaces into interiors that make a lasting impression to its users is our ultimate aim and one which we hope to provide using equal measures of creativity and technical excellence.

A ‘hands on’ approach to each design ensures every project is as practical and cost effective as it is inspirational and individual Contact Holly on 07714 321987 or email her on info@saltinteriors.co.uk

FINE HOMES

Windows Are Such An Important Facet Of Your Home They are what give your property character and individuality but also offer the practicalities of insulation and security Because of their very nature, the windows and doors on your house or bungalow are a significant investment and cost.

Steve said: “We can do upgrades with the highest quality glass without changing the frames.”

Problems, however, can occur – hinges and locks may break or stick, handles work loose, there may be draughts around the house and windows may become “blown” or steamed up.

In the 1970s and 1980s people often selected golden handles for their windows, commented Steve, but they can also be changed quite easily to give the windows an upgrade and a modern new appearance.

But rest assured, these issues do not have to prove as expensive to remedy as you may think - and repair is usually the best and most cost-effective course of action, rather than replacement.

“I am cheaper than other operators and can offer cost-effective solutions with a quick response.” he added.

Steve Olley, who has 20 years’ experience of repairing double-glazed and sealed-unit windows, knows that an effective repair can give windows a whole new lease of life.

“A lot of people think that when the glass has blown - when you cannot see through a window properly - or that there is condensation on a window or that doubleglazed units become steamed up, that they need a whole new window,” explained Steve, who runs S & C Window Repairs with his wife Clare.

“But repairs are relatively straightforward and not expensive. The glass can come out of the frames and be replaced, so there is simply no need to go to the expense of having a whole new window and frame.”

S & C Windows provides a service to repair windows, doors and conservatories and that includes misted or broken sealed units, UPVC window and door repairs, conservatory repairs, patio door repairs, worn out window hinges, broken window handles and locks, and draughty doors or windows. The replacement glass includes clear, patterned, toughened, leaded and Georgian bar windows.

New locks and handles, bathroom and kitchen windows, hinges, patio doors and cracked panes can all be easily and effectively dealt with.

Customers ring through to Steve’s main contact number where a call operator will take brief details and instantly send them on to Steve via text.

“I’ll then telephone the customer to make an appointment, make a visit to assess what they need and if they are happy with the quote place an order for what is needed and then arrange a convenient time to install.” he said.

“Most jobs are straightforward. With a draught, for example, the solution can be something as simple as a hinge that needs replacing. I’ll give my customers an honest assessment and offer a quick, often same day or next day service.

“The call-out is free and we can show people that their windows can be repaired to a high standard without them incurring the cost of replacement.”

S & C Window Repairs are experts in repairing windows, doors and conservatories, providing a friendly and reliable service which will “take the pane out of window repairs.”

If you have a problem with your windows and need a quick, reliable and costeffective repair, give Steve Olley of S & C Windows a call today on 0800 160 1932 or visit www.sandcwindows.co.uk

FREEPHONE 0800 160 1932

We provide a service to REPAIR windows doors and conservatories in Norfolk.

Cracked or misted windows

Broken/cracked or steamed up conservatories

Stiff or damaged door handles and hinges

FREE ESTIMATES No call out charge No job too big or too small SAVE MONEY

It’s not only with repairs, the same applies for upgrades as well such as to A-rated windows with the highest grade glass.

Covering the whole of Norfolk from bases in Norwich and near Holt, S & C Windows, can upgrade standard windows to A-rated windows, without removing the frames and merely by changing the quality of the glass.

For an honest opinion and free estimate please call

0800 160 1932 www.sandcwindows.co.uk

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Issue 35 2014

30/08/2014 15:16

FINE HOMES

Dream Doors For Your Dream Home Dream Doors is a local family run business with a showroom in Norvic Drive, Eaton, which has been established for over 7 years Dream Doors specialise in kitchen face-lifts, whereby customers can change the look of their kitchen by replacing their old doors with new made to measure doors, units or worktops, as well as offering complete new kitchens. They have a huge range of doors and products from traditional to contemporary and ultra modern.

The company is owned by local couple Helen & Philip Mahon, who are proud of their reputation for high quality products, good friendly personalized customer care and high quality fitting provided by their own qualified kitchen

fitters. Philip says “All the doors (and units if required) are made to measure, so it means they can be made to fit any size cabinets. It also means awkward gaps and spaces can be filled to give a truly fitted, streamlined look.

Matching accessories such as cornices, flyovers, pelmets, cooker hoods, plinths, laminates to match the ends of cupboards, wine racks and shelving are also available to give your kitchen the full up to date look.

A face-lift is a lot less hassle and can take as little as one day to complete.”

Helen adds “our customers are amazed by the transformation that takes place, within such a short time period, it really is an easy no fuss option.

At the end of the day it seems to make sense to spend your money where it shows.”

Work on kitchen in my previous house so had no hesitation in recommending to my daughter where I now live, excellent work.

Helen and Philip’s aim is to give you the benefit of their experience and help you chose your dream kitchen using friendly helpful advice.

The service was second to none and the workmanship first class. The craftsman took exceptional care and were always polite

You can have full confidence in Dream Doors as they are registered with Checkatrade, an independent company which has a website: www.checkatrade. com where you can check out over 440 comments from previous customers as well as scores for the quality of work amongst other things. Some of the more recent customer comments include:

If this sounds like the perfect answer for your kitchen problems either contact Dream Doors on 01603 505595 or pop into the showroom at 13 Chalfont Walk, Norvic Drive, off Bluebell Road in Eaton, which is open 10-5 Monday – Saturday.

Fitters were a credit to the company, excellent job, very pleased with new kitchen, helpful and patient management team.

Bespoke fitted kitchens, an affordable reality.

• Local family run business • Made to measure custom built doors and units • From replacement doors to complete kitchens or bedrooms

Call for a FREE Estimate: 01603 505595

13 Chalfont Walk, Norvic Drive, Eaton, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7NH View our credentials at

www.dreamdoors.co.uk 68

Issue 35 2014

Excellent workmanship. Very helpful with advice on initial visit. Very pleased with new look kitchen.

www.FineCity.co.uk

If you like what you see, we can arrange for Helen to come to your home with some sample doors to discuss your needs further and give you a completely free no obligation quote. We look forward to meeting you.

FINE HOMES

Dust-Free Floor Sanding, French Polishing & Restoration Specialists Robert Stamper started his career training as a French Polisher / Antique Restorer with Arthur Brett & Sons of Norwich in the late 90s.

His natural talent and determination to be the best within his industry spurred him on to set up his own business, which was founded in 2001 - back then, his workshop was so small, you could hardly swing a cat - little did Rob know it was the start of great things!

unrivalled within the industry.

“I have always prided myself on offering a polite, informal yet professional service to all of my customers and the same goes for my team - the service we offer at The Floor Sanding Company is nothing but the best...” Rob Stamper

Rob’s ambition pushed the business to not only succeed, but to grow also. As the years passed Rob saw changes in what customers were asking for; with that in mind, he continued to develop his knowledge to be able to offer a wider range of skills - as the call for traditional French Polishers decreased, the call for wooden floor restoration and refinishing increased - so much so, Rob and his team have restored many wooden floors, for both domestic and commercial customers.

Our aim at THE FLOOR SANDING COMPANY is to provide our customers (old and new), a professional service which goes unrivalled at an affordable price.

The business continues to develop and grow and now boasts a large range of services with a quality of finish which goes

We work with all wooden flooring types; from parquet, herringbone to pine floorboards, bar counter tops, kitchen worktops and the smallest piece of furniture right up to staircases - and wooden panelling, no job is too big or too small!

We use the latest dust-free floor sanding technology and dust extraction

equipment available. Athe FLOOR SANDING COMPANY we produce an array of different finishes to suit all tastes. We are able to offer a floor sanding hire package which includes dust extraction equipment. We also offer a full French Polishing service; from scratch removal to furniture stripping and re-polishing.

As well as all this, we can also offer you a house decorating service too! Whether it is a sinlge room or a whole house, we have it covered!

TESTIMONIALS “Thank you for doing such a fantastic job of sanding the wooden floor at The Barn.

What a remarkable difference you made to the floor, despite the numerous heel marks made by the previous occupants, you managed to get the floor looking as good as new and we were amazed by

www.FineCity.co.uk

the transformation. The finishing was first class and what was once a fairly dull looking wooden floor, is now glossy.

We have had many, many compliments on this from our visitors.” Emma - JSM Property “We would like to thank you formally for the high degree of service you have provided in transforming our flooring, and the French Polishing of staircases, doors and window sills of our Norwich home.”

Mr & Mrs Styles - Eaton, Norwich For more information visit the website: www.dustfreesandingnorwich.com or give the team a call on 01603 621354 or 07766 466078

Issue 35 2014 69

FINE TRAVEL

Turkey

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Breath-taking panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, a crystal clear coastline, countless hidden coves, deserted bays, and unspoilt green nature paired with a cruising ground, rich with historic sites, ancient cities and unique rock tombs.

So enjoy the late Turkish summer, cruising along quiet bays and coasts far off the usual noise and hectic of these sailing grounds during peak season.

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* All prices exclude £10/adult Norwich Airport Development Fee payable at the Airport and fuel surcharge if applicable Holidays are organized by OSKA Travel Ltd. 11 East Hill Colchester, Essex CO1 2QX United Kingdom, licenced and financially protected by the UK Civil Issue 35 2014 Aviation Authority (ATOL 10519). Booking conditions apply. www.oska-travel.co.uk / www.topskiswiss.com

www.FineCity.co.uk

FINE MOTORS

BMW 1 Series Hatchback Full 9 point review brought to you by ‘WhatCar?’ Performance - 4 out of 5 stars

Ride & Handling - 4 out of 5 stars

We haven’t yet driven the entrylevel 114i petrol, but the 116i is all most buyers will need, with strong acceleration throughout the rev range. The 125i also pulls consistently and

The 1 Series is the only small family car that’s driven by its rear wheels.

This partly explains why it’s sharper to drive than the many of its peers, with neutral handling and decent grip.

However, the steering is very quick and overly light, which can make it feel rather nervous at times.

soaks up bumps, and at low revs the diesel engines transmit vibrations through the pedals and gearknob. The petrol engines are hushed, though, and the cabin is well insulated from wind and road roar.

Quality & Reliability - 4 out of 5 stars Interior quality is generally impressive, although a few pieces of trim – such as the glovebox lid – feel hard and scratchy. The previous-generation 1 Series performed well in the most recent JD Power ownership satisfaction survey, with few owners grumbling about mechanical problems.

Safety & Security - 4 out of 5 stars

Buying & Owning - 4 out of 5 stars has enough pace to rival most hot hatches, while the 135i will blow most of them away.

The 118d diesel is a bit hammery at high revs, but you’ll rarely need to venture there because it pulls well low down. Even the 116d ED – the most efficient choice – is still capable of reasonable performance when you need it.

Issue 35 2014

The ride is very impressive, though, being slick and sophisticated at all speeds.

Refinement - 3 out of 5 stars The 1 Series isn’t the quietest small family car. At low speeds you can hear the suspension thudding away as it

The 1 Series is similar in price to most of its premium-badged rivals, but you have to pay extra for some bits of kit you might expect to come as standard.

On the plus side, decent discounts are available and the 1 Series retains its value well. Competitive fuel economy and CO2 emissions make it surprisingly cheap to run, too, especially if you pick the 116d ED version.

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The 1 Series scored five-out-of-five for safety on Euro NCAP’s latest crash testing programme, and all models in the line-up get six airbags and stability control as standard. However, there’s no way of adding the automatic braking function that most rivals have as standard. Every version features deadlocks, an alarm and an engine immobiliser to help deter thieves.

Behind The Wheel - 3 out of 5 stars The driving position isn’t the most comfortable, because the pedals

FINE MOTORS

and the steering wheel don’t line up properly. The high central partition also makes the driver feel a little hemmed in, while the small rear window limits over-the-shoulder visibility. The iDrive infotainment system (standard on SE trim upwards) is brilliant, though, because it’s a doddle to use and simplifies the layout of the dashboard.

the three-door or the five. The boot is a bit narrow and shallow, but folding down the rear seats gives a large loadbay.

the engine isn’t as clattery as those in some of its eco-focused rivals. It still gives decent pace, too.

Our pick of the range...

BMW 1 Series Hatchback 116d EfficientDynamics 5dr Equipment - 3 out of 5 stars

Space & Practicality - 3 out of 5 stars Six-footers will be able to get comfortable in both the front and the back. However, the small rear windows can make the cabin feel rather dark and claustrophobic, and you have to be quite flexible to get into the back in the first place, whether you choose

Entry-level ES models miss out on some equipment you’d expect as to be fitted as standard, including Bluetooth, although you do get air-con, four electric windows and a socket to plug your MP3 player into.

Stepping up to SE trims gets you Bluetooth, while top-of-the-range Sport, M Sport and Urban models add run-flat tyres and larger alloys wheels.

The BMW 116d Efficient Dynamics is definitely the 1 Series to go for if you’re picking a company car, because it brings significant tax savings.

For The BMW 1 Series 116d EfficientDynamics is the most economical 1 Series available, and

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Against Lowering the 116d ED’s suspension for fuel-saving reasons also has a slight impact on the 1 Series’ ride. Some rivals are more practical and cheaper to buy in the first place, too.

BMW 1 Series Hatchback What Car? says

What does it cost?

Price - £17,775 to £31,375 Target Price - £16,860 - £28,496 Fuel per 100 miles - £8 - £17 CO2 - 99 - 188 g/km Tax band - A - J Three-year cost - £14,921 - £23,486

Source - WHATCAR? www.whatcar.com

Issue 35 2014

FINE MOTORS

Norfolk Teenager Races Ahead 16 year old Adam Hatfield introduces himself and talks about how having finished his GCSE’s, he is ready to launch forth into a career of engineering and racing...

Hello my name is Adam Hatfield, I am 16 years old from Cranworth in Norfolk.

Having just finished my GCSE’s, I am now studying engineering at the University Technical College in Norwich.

I started racing in karts at the age of 9 at the local kart circuits within Norfolk and Suffolk, such as Ellough Park in Beccles. In my first year of racing I very much stayed within my comfort zone, racing at only these local circuits - but soon enough success began to come, taking podiums and fastest laps throughout the year.

After this first year I began to broaden my horizon and traveled around the country to race at different circuits - a new challenge for me! I am also being mentored by British GT GT3 driver, Jonny Adam.

Over the subsequent four years I progressed into a higher class and a faster kart. I did more circuits around the country to make the adaption, and toward the end of 2011 I took podium places and fastest laps once more.

It wasn’t until 2012 that I had my biggest successes in karting, winning

Issue 35 2014

the final of the East Anglian Trophy, held at Kimbolton. I also achieved a podium place at the Shenington Super Prix, in only my third outing at the circuit. However, 2013 would be the biggest step up in my career making the transition from karts to cars.

In 2013 at the start of my car racing career, I had decided to race in the SAXMAX championship for 14-17 year olds, driving race converted Citroen Saxo VTR’s.

We had a few pre-season tests in the car and they were very successful for me. In my debut race at Croft Circuit in Yorkshire, I had a very strong 4th place in qualifying, and followed that up in the race.

That wouldn’t be the only success of the 2013 season however, because at Anglesey I made my first front row start in a car, and in the race followed that up with a place on the podium, in 3rd great start in my rookie season in cars!

2014 saw another step up for me, as I started to race in the Michelin Clio Cup. For the early part of 2014, I learned to drive a Clio Cup Race Car, and began

to concentrate on my exams. We had set up a test programme for this year to learn the car, and the circuits on the calendar in that car. The Clio Cup Cars were completely different to what I had been used to in previous years as they are left hand drive (they come built directly from Renault Sport in France), have a sequential gearbox, and also run on slick tyres whereas before I had been on standard road tyres.

The test programme was a huge success for me and I made progress a lot faster than I initially thought I would. A lot of the test programme was carried out at the local circuit at Snetterton, and this really helped me improve my skills in the car. There is such a mix of high speed and low speed corners, from the Montreal hairpin to the Bomb Hole, that it taught me a lot.

In July I had decided to make my debut in the series and took part in my first race in the car. My debut weekend in the series was a huge success, finishing a promising 7th against much older and more experienced drivers me being the youngest driver on the grid!

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Heading into 2015, I will go on to have a full attack on the Clio Cup championship!

I think my ultimate goal for the future has to be to make it into the British Touring Car Championship. But the plan for the next couple of seasons is too stay in the Michelin Clio Cup series, and then in the future, progress on to the Renault UK Clio Cup (the support series for the British Touring Car Championship), and has also been proven as a feeder series into the BTCC as shown by Jason Plato and Jack Goff.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to my sponsors who help make it happen: Chase Timber Products, Eastern Fork Lifts, and Hugh J Boswell Insurance Brokers.

If you would like to find out more about me, please check out my website: www.adam-hatfield.co.uk or follow me on twitter @AdamHatfield45.

FINE MOTORS

Adam Hatfield - From Karts to Cars!

www.FineCity.co.uk

Issue 35 2014

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FINE MOTORS

A Very Different Car Sales Company Nestled In The Norfolk Countryside, Just Outside The Fine City If you are looking for great savings on quality used cars in the Norwich area , then you have reached the right place. Spencer’s Car Sales Ltd are a specialist used car dealer based in Norfolk The friendly team at Spencer’s are proud to offer you first class customer service, and very competitive pricing. At Spencer’s Car Sales Ltd there is a range of used cars in stock to suit all budgets and lifestyles, so they are sure to have the right car for you.

are looking for the website. The team at Spencer’s realise that buying a car can be a daunting experience, so they don’t want you to worry as they are well established within the Norwich area, and have a great reputation.

If you are looking for a second hand car in the Norwich area, then don’t delay, take a look at the website to see what is available, and call them today to book a test drive.

The excellent advice they offer, and the experience and knowledge of vehicles and vehicle maintenance should leave you kn no doubt that they are the best choice for buying your next prestige used car from.

In order to offer cars to suit everyone, they make sure that they update their stock list regularly, it is therefore always worth giving them a call - even if you don’t see what you

The friendly staff always go the extra mile to guarantee that you receive the advice and help you need to make this important

decision - this is the reason why so many of their customers keep coming back when it is time to change their vehicle.

The showroom in Crostwick is easy to find, just head out of the city on the B1150 North Walsham road and take the first left hand turning once you have passed over

the Spixworth/Rackheath crossroads, into Hall Lane. The showroom can be found on the right, about a quarter of a mile along the lane. Spencer’s ask you to call and make an appointment prior to coming to the showroom, to ensure they are available to meet you and offer you the service you deserve.

• Peace of Mind With Over 12 years experience • Specialists in German Marques and Prestige Cars • Experts in Finance including PCP

You could be driving away in a car you never thought you could afford The business initially began on Dereham Road, in Norwich, but we have recently moved to a brand new purpose built site along Hall Lane in Crostwick, just outside the city.

Spencer’s Car Sales Ltd is a family run business with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the car industry. We have built up a large customer base over the years, including both local people and those travelling to us from further away, and we are delighted to still be adding to it At our new base in Crostwick we are strictly appointment only, as we like to ensure our staff are available to give you our full attention and show our range of excellent cars we have in stock.

76

Issue 35 2014

To make an appointment to visit the showroom, call:

01603 266000 FIND US AT: Cedar Lodge Crostwick Norfolk, NR12 7BB

Follow Us On Twitter @Spencerscars

spencerscarsales.co.uk

www.FineCity.co.uk

Issue 35 2014

FINE SERVICES

Residential care from Norfolk’s largest care provider At NorseCare, we aim to provide individualised care in our homes in a warm and friendly environment, with well-trained staff to care and support our residents and their loved ones.

We are Norfolk’s largest care provider, managing 23 residential care homes and 14 housing with care schemes in Norfolk. A number of our homes specialise in the care of people living with dementia.

We also manage housing with care schemes providing people with care and support, together with the independence of living in their own flat under a tenancy agreement with a housing provider.

To find out more about our homes and room availability, please visit our website: www.norsecare.co.uk, call us on 01603 894366 or email info@norsecare.co.uk. You can also follow us on Twitter: @norsecare

www.FineCity.co.uk

Issue 35 2014 77

FINE SERVICES

Good Quality at the Best Prices and with Excellent Service

Int er IN net P ST ric OR es E

A huge range of Divans, Mattresses, Bed Frames & Accessories In Stock and ready for Free Next Day Delivery.*

Find us on Facebook, for news & competitions!

78 Issue 34 2014

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