FineCity Magazine - September 2015

Issue 46 September 2015

Blake, Ollie & Ed

3 students join us for the summer. Lets meet them... Intern

Interview

Pete Goodrum meets Lee Houghton. A man who has been on an incredible journey.

A Fine Walk

Take a walk around 17 Norwich Churches with Steve Browning

FINEFashion FINEplaces FINEpeople FINEarts FINELIVING

PLUS

Out There Festival hits Great Yarmouth

NORWICH

click call come in

EXPERIENCE THE WHITE SANDS OF GRAN CANARIA FROM NORWICH With new flights added for this summer and 2016, you can experience the white sand beaches and dunes direct from your local airport with Thomson.

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September 2015 | 03

Competition

Win A Mini! 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.FineCity.co.uk/winamini Only one entry per household Your name: How much is your home phone bill ? £ Your address: Would you like to pay less than that?

Postcode: Your landline contact number: Your email address:

YES

NO

household bills every month?

YES

NO

Would you like to have an extra income?

YES

NO

Would you like to save 25% on your other

04 | September 2015

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.

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07

Issue 46 September 2015

BLAKE, OLLIE & ED

3 students join us for the summer. Lets meet them... Intern

INTERVIEW

Pete Goodrum meets Lee Houghton. A man who has been on an incredible journey.

18

FINE people

A FINE WALK

FINEPLACES FINEPEOPLE FINEARTS

PLUS

FINELIVING

FINE places

Out There Festival hits Great Yarmouth

NORWICH

Issue 46

30 FINE arts

Take a walk around 17 Norwich Churches with Steve Browning

FINEFASHION

Your community magazine Cover image courtesy of Matt Keal Photography. www.mattkeal.com @mattkealphoto FineCity Magazine would like to thank all those who have contributed to this issue. This includes but is not limited to: Pete Goodrum, Stephen Browning and Tony Cooper.

60

FineFashion: Sue Dougal & Chrissi Rix

FINE Fashion

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

Editor Jonathan Horswell Jonathan@FineCity.co.uk Advertising Office@FineCity.co.uk Editorial editorial@FineCity.co.uk Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .eps

FineCityMag @FineCityMag Tel 01953 456789 Web www.FineCity.co.uk Address 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, 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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September 2015 | 05

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At Fine City we have been very fortunate to have three fantastic young lads come in and help us over the summer in various ways ranging from sales to journalism. They’ve integrated easily into the our environment and it has been a real pleasure having them at Fine City. They have proven that they are driven and motivated - We can certainly see them having great success in the future. They are here to tell us all about their summer here and the brilliant work they have done.

“Experience shouldn’t be a comb life gives you after you lose your hair.”

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September 2015 | 07

FINEPeople

Blake

A

fter a year at university, it is clear to me the stereotypical image of student life is still prominent.

I currently study Accounting and Finance at the University of Essex and relished my studies thoroughly, along with the unique social life it brings. However from personal recollection, watching my flatmates consistently sit around playing video games until the early hours, followed by sleeping until four in the afternoon caused me great frustration across the whole year.

08 | September 2015

So when the year was over, I was determined to show that keeping constructive was a more beneficial and enjoyable way to spend my summer and ultimately university life. Admittedly, the concept of deriving enjoyment from working can seem alien.

Nevertheless, the experience I have shared alongside my other student colleagues has felt none other than enjoyable.

Staying productive ready for the next academic year of study was a priority for myself.

I hoped to gain a further insight into the working world, whilst also providing myself with more financial stability in the upcoming months, when they would most likely to be stretched due to

university fees, accommodation rent and the increased independence as a consequence of living away from home. These predicted circumstances made working throughout this offperiod a necessity. However, I revelled in the opportunity to apply myself to a new challenge with a well-established local business, knowing it would give me a great feeling of satisfaction, with the added bonus of covering any living costs. With such a strong name throughout the county, I believed the chance to work with FineCity and the company’s other publications would become a great asset, regardless of my chosen career path, whilst exploiting my

available time this year.

Working at FineCity has brought about a sense of belonging, especially with the team who have supported me throughout; these surroundings provide me with much more than the alternative of staying at home. Watching the business succeed through the work you have personally invested, as well as the feeling you are an important part of a familylike group, working together towards a set goal, could not be replicated any other way during this period of time. It has been an experience that has yielded so much more than I originally anticipated, enhancing a number of skills and familiarising myself to new scenarios, at the same time as offering a fun and rewarding environment.

Business experience is of great value to me, as a student looking to follow my degree studies with hopefully obtaining a position on a graduate scheme with one of the major accounting firms in the UK. There can be difficult to obtain, therefore anything that sets me apart from other applicants will be of great benefit; FineCity certainly does this. I am committed to making sure the path I wish to follow happens, in both career aspect and in general life, therefore I have tried to use the time available to me to increase the chances of fulfilling my goals and attempting to stand out from the crowd and proving keeping productive is valuable; I am grateful to FineCity for assisting me in my journey.

After what I have experienced this summer, I would strongly urge anyone in a similar position, regardless of age or position, to take the chance and make the most of any time that is available.

Build new skills, new friendships and connections and enjoy the opportunities that present themselves. It doesn’t have to be filling your time with a job, but it can be whatever you want to achieve, or at least a start in the journey you wish to follow.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but why wait?

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FINEPeople

Ollie

P

erhaps the stereotypes are true: a student is the atypical person. I found in my first year of university that, leaving the teenage years behind, it is easy to relish the freedom from home and, living in the moment, forget about the impending responsibility life can bring. Asking any student about

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their university life and you may struggle to comprehend when the vacation ends. But don’t forget that whilst student life can have its benefits, it can also be a struggle: in the global competitive market, a leviathan we all must tackle, what sets you apart from your competitors is experience. Being an intern at Fine City Magazine has not only proved to be a valuable asset on my CV, but the skills provided will be beneficial when I return to university.

But first, a little about myself: in September I will be entering

the second year of university, reading Politics and International Relations at Cambridge. Like several universities we are told explicitly not to apply for jobs whilst studying; however, not only does it make it harder to make ends meet and easier to slip into my overdraft, it is a constant worry on holiday to earn the money I spent weeks before. At the same time, I did not want to go back to the sorts of jobs I had been doing (potwash, waiting etc). Interning proved to be a gateway to earn money and get

more out of my work.

More than most subjects, politics can be difficult to have a voice in a continuous tumult of noise and opinion. In politics you need to know how to persuade; in telesales you need to know how to make the hard-sell seem soft. For both the art of speech is crucial. We recently created a feature on the Tour of Britain in our partner magazines and trying to persuade businesses to participate requires a set of skills that can be well developed on the job. Working on the phone and meeting customers in person gives you a fantastic opportunity to fine tune the phrases that entice people to your magazine.

Not surprisingly, the buzzword everybody wants to hear is ‘free’!

It is our job, first and foremost, to compromise and conciliate to make the deal.

Reading books can only get you so far. Like many pairs of things we wouldn’t do without as a student in the world (aside from Chicken and pasta!), the most important is not to forget that theory needs practice. At university you can often forget that the outside world exists. But it is crucial to get experience in the world in order to become employable. Fine City has given me the opportunity to write my own editorial and to be a part in the design process, being able to put forward ideas about future features and working with customers to suit their advertising needs. Here, Fine city seemed like a clear choice: it’s glossy, vibrant and a perfect match for the fine city.

Working for this magazine is a valuable occupation. The role requires a wide range of disciplines which develop and hone my working and people skills. It comes as no surprise to me that the more worthwhile jobs you have under your belt, the easier it will be to decide what you want to do and to succeed in it.

Experience shouldn’t be a comb life gives you after you lose your hair. As a student almost half way through university I have relished the opportunity to earn and learn on the path to future success.

September 2015 | 09

FINEPeople

Ed

I

am a student at Wymondham High Academy who will be heading into their last year of sixth form come the beginning of September. I will be continuing on my studies in History, Philosophy and Ethics as well as Economics. I aspire to go to University next year and therefore achieving good A-Level grades and working hard is integral for me to go to university that I want to go to.

However, grades aren’t the be all and end all. Experience can’t be taught. Fine City is a fantastic place that has given me experience working with a team in an office environment. When applying to university in a few months, I need something that’ll make me stand out and Fine City have given me such opportunity.

I’m hoping my time here at Fine City is going to help me in the future; for university and post-university. Being given this opportunity in the summer allows for me to still be productive and proactive in a time when i’m not at school instead of being careless with the time I have. I wanted to make the best out of summer and I believe I’ve done that here at Fine City.

The team I have been working with at Fine City have been amazing and more than anything, helpful and supportive. We’re a small bunch - and I do say “we” because even though I have only been here a short time I certainly do feel like part of team. It was easy to settle in from the first day which made the whole experience that much easier. Working as a team helps motivate towards completing deadlines and having something to work towards collectively. It’s a very focused and hard-working group that I’m proud to have been apart of.

Work wise, I had plenty to do but that’s what needed to happen so I had plenty to talk about when discussing my experience here. I was given control of the work I did here in the sense that it wasn’t micromanaged to

10 | September 2015

every detail. It was beneficial as I was able to see what worked, what didn’t work and eventually complete tasks that I felt were to the best of my ability with the freedom that was given to me. Fine City was the ideal situation to adapt to a business environment. Working 9-5 every working day was certainly a change for me from school life as well as the fact of working with people all day was a positive change from reading a textbook and getting on with homework.

It was a welcomed transition and one that will hopefully give me an advantage experience wise if this

is a potential career path.

Fine City has been a wonderful place to work and is place that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a career in the magazine industry. It’s a strong working environment where you’re allowed to express your thoughts and opinions without the corporate hierarchy that may plague other businesses.

Everyone is helpful which makes it easier settling in as well as letting you expand your scope and try different things within the business. I was given the opportunity to do so much more in my time at Fine City than what

I thought I would do when I originally applied. Instead of sitting in an office all day, I’ve had the chance to meet clients, observe and conducts interviews and even take part in a photo shoot!

Experience is valuable and is what all students should strive for in addition to the necessary grades. Not only do you get a taste of working life, you also can try get different career paths that you may be entertaining as well as meeting great new people.

Thank you to Fine City and all the people there for a wonderful time.

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FINEPeople

Pete Goodrum During Ed's time at FineCity Magazine (read page 10) we set him the task of meeting regular FineCity Interviewer, Pete Goodrum, and finding out more about the man who is usually asking the questions.

I

t’s a cold wet afternoon in the middle of August when I am introduced to writer and broadcaster Pete Goodrum - a man who I have never met before but felt like I had after reading pieces of his work. I knew who he was before we even shook hands.

He’s no less than what I imagined - a smart, well dressed man whose presence is felt as soon as he steps foot into a room. My examination of him continued for several minutes, watching his mannerisms and the way he presented himself in an attempt to get to the know the man that was about to tell me all about his life. Before all that, I was able to observe Pete interview Lee Houghton. The whole endeavour was fascinating.

He looked like a natural someone who seemed to have been crafting this skill for as long as he could remember. Which is what shocked me the most when he told me when he started writing professionally. “I became a freelance writer in 2010,” he proclaimed. Pete’s achieved so much in the world of writing and broadcasting in the last five years and he isn’t slowing down work any time soon. His fifth book comes out late this year. “It’s called Norwich in the 1970’s,” continuing on from two of his previous books, appropriately titled Norwich in the 1950’s and Norwich in the 1960’s. I was eager to find out the narrative behind this book and what made him want to write it. What was so special about Norwich

in the 1970’s? “For some it’s about steakhouses and rock bands, but it’s also the decade of punk,” he tells me. “There’s a contrast there and it fascinates me”. He continues, telling me that Norwich shows this contrast better than most places. “It’s a cultural change more than an

architectural change”. The man emanates passion when he talks about something that he is so obviously fond of. One thing stands out to me already - this man loves Norwich.

After sitting down in a cafe with a cup of coffee, we took a journey to the beginning of Pete Goodrum’s story. “I was born in Norwich and have always lived here,” he told me in a proud manner. I was taken aback by this statement. Not in a negative way but because you would assume that someone of Pete’s stature as a number one bestselling author and a flourishing radio/TV broadcaster would have moved around a bit.

feature by:

Ed Chapman Guest Writer

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September 2015 | 11

FINEPeople “I had opportunities to work in London early on,” he continued, “But it just wasn’t the right time”.

It was easy to tell he didn’t want to leave this city. Pete’s love for Norwich continues to be a recurring theme.

As soon as he began to speak, you could tell he was an extremely busy man. It’s clear he’s taken time out of his schedule to be here. Yet he did not look at his watch or his phone during the entire interview.

Despite how busy he was, he devoted his total attention to the interview - like he wanted to be there which made the process so much easier.

He begins to take me through the start of his life, before he entered the world of freelance writing. “I went to the City of Norwich School and when I was 15 I left with very few qualifications”. It was impressive in the sense that he had been able to have such a successful career with few academic qualifications.

I wonder if he’s uncomfortable being on the other side of the table - trying to be the interviewee instead of the interviewer. Having interviewed so many people, it must have felt different to finally be in their shoes.

He got a job immediately after leaving school for an advertising agency called Tibbenhams in

12 | September 2015

Norwich. “I loved the business from the moment I walked in the building”. He worked his way up the ladder and later became managing director in 1985. What was next after that? “I went on to work for other agencies before eventually being made redundant in 2009”. There was a moment of pause as I stumbled upon the fact that someone so enthused about an industry had it taken away from them. He continued.

“I was finding it hard to find work at the level I was used to”. I was ready to ask my next question then - Why writing? “I always thought there was a writer in me since the age of 15”. There was a shining light. He was able to tackle something he’d wanted to do from an early age. “I started by writing advertising and marketing material, I also pitched books”.

Let’s talk about the books.

Pete wrote Norwich in the 1950’s which was published in 2012 and has gone on to write another four since. I was inquisitive about what persuaded him into writing books. He smiled once he heard the question. “If I’m going to give you an honest answer, it’s what I do for a living!” He decides to follow up on this statement.

Amberley publishing approached him about writing Norwich in the 1950’s and he didn’t hesitate to accept the offer. “I love the

city, I love local history…it was a delight”. Norwich in the 1950’s was published in September 2012 and subsequently went on to spend nineteen weeks in the top five of the Archant Jarrolds Local Best Sellers chart. Norwich in the 1960’s was published a year later and went straight to the number one spot.

The inevitable question came.

Do you regret not becoming a writer sooner? “In one sense no, I loved every minute of my advertising agency career and still love my advertising work. I still enjoy writing for a living. I think I got the timing for that just right”.

I was keen to know about the interviews he’s done for Fine City. He started writing for Fine City magazine about a year ago and has written an interview for them every month since. He starts with nothing but praise for Fine City. “It’s a joy!” which he follows up with a big grin. He takes another sip of his coffee before speaking about the interviews he has conducted in the last year. “I’ve got to meet some fantastic people. Artists, poets, business people…It’s proved how many brilliant people there are. Everyone has a story, terrific, positive stories. When I’m interviewing, my aim is to always find the positive. I’ve met so many people who have a made a

real contribution to life in Norwich and life in general”. Having watched Pete interview a mere hour before, it’s clear that he’s been able to meet some amazing people. He’s got that ability to extract the positives from people’s stories which makes him so remarkable.

I ask him who was his favourite person to interview and only got back “I can’t answer that!”. I continued to push but instead of a favourite, he gave me a story about one of the more interesting interviews he had. “The Willie Cruikshank interview in a plane certainly had its moments!”.

For someone who had interviewed numerous people, who was left - who would he want to interview most? “Stephen Fry!” he said gleefully, “Who wouldn’t?!”. This seemed like such an obvious choice, being such an important figure to Norfolk. He takes a moment to pause and think before “Oh Delia Smith, she’s another one!”

Being a massive football fan myself, I wanted to find out if Pete’s passion stretched to the realm of football. “I would say I’m a Norwich City fan. I haven’t been to many games in recent years but I definitely follow what’s going on and root for them”. He takes a moment to formulate what he wants to say next, that

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FINEPeople

is only going to carry forward the momentum of his passion for Norwich in general. “I’m patriotic about Norwich as a whole,” he continues. “It gets a hard time from the media and is undersold”.

Norwich certainly means a lot to him. “I want people to know what a great city this is and all the great things that come out of it”.

What does he do in his spare time? Does he even have spare time at all? Pete quickly admits that his spare time is limited and in short supply. However, he is still a man with plenty of interests.

He begins to list a few. “Reading, music, family, walking the dog… we’ve acquired a sports car and my wife now calls me a bit of a petrol head!” He laughs at that thought. Family is clearly important to him. He lives in the centre of the city with his wife, Sue. Both his parents were born in Norwich. He goes on to talk about his daughter, Katie who’s married and lives in London with a successful career in advertising.

I ask him if he’s a big reason as to why she decided to get into advertising. “I would like to say so but she’s had an incredible path

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all on her own”.

What does the future hold for Pete Goodrum? Where does he see himself in five years?

“I have lots of projects on the go currently, and I have a new series on Mustard TV,” he says before adding, “More interviews for Fine City and hopefully more opportunities in Radio and TV”.

Pete doesn’t see himself slowing down in 5 years. “In five years I want to still be writing and

exploring new opportunities to write,” he tells me. “I would love to do more broadcasting in the future…I would like to do this forever”. His plans may change in the future but the impression I got from talking to him was that he still had plenty more to offer.

The interview had come to a mutual end as we shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. I hope I can get to speak to him again because there is no doubt

that he’ll have written more books, interviewed countless more great people and expanded his broadcasting scope. He told me that he had achieved his mission - a mission that he had set himself after redundancy, to become a full time writer and broadcaster. Even though he has attained that goal, there is definitely plenty more to come from Pete Goodrum.

September 2015 | 13

FINEPeople

Lee Houghton Pete Goodrum talks to Lee Houghton about an act of kindness that led to a journey of self discovery…….

W

e’re having coffee in a Pret a Manger in the centre of Norwich. I’m not usually given to naming establishments in this feature but this particular branch of Pret has a very special place in this story.

It’s the story of Lee Houghton.

Lee would come into this coffee shop on his way to work most mornings and, one day, in a single act of kindness began a journey that would change him forever, and see him travel around a quarter of the globe.

Right now it’s a rainy August day and Lee is adjusting to the temperature, and the time zone, having only recently returned from his travels. But, let’s go back to the start.

Lee Houghton was born near Liverpool and came to Norwich, first, with his parents when he was still very young. Life wasn’t very straightforward. It was not he says, ‘squeaky clean’. The fact is that his parents were struggling with their relationship and, when they split up, his mother found it hard to cope.

Suffering from traumatic stress she placed Lee and his siblings into care.

The next few years saw him being moved around the care system from Derbyshire to Scotland, and back to Norfolk.

Here he attended the Hewett School. He did well, leaving with 11 GCSEs. By now his mother was in Liverpool and his father was in Suffolk. It’s not difficult to ask Lee direct questions, because only minutes after meeting him it’s readily apparent that this is an articulate, communicative young man. So, straight question. Did he resent his parents for his being in care.

Straight answer. ‘No. Firstly I believe in second chances, and tolerance. Secondly, and honestly, I believe that being in

14 | September 2015

care has probably made me a stronger person’.

From the Hewett he went to Easton College to study sports nutrition, and ‘everything to do with sport’ with a view to becoming a sports therapist. He took a 2 year National Diploma Course but, not long after qualifying he realised that maybe it wasn’t the path he wanted to follow.

Instead he got a civil engineering apprenticeship with what was then May Gurney. He admits that there was ‘minimal family contact’ during this time, but he was focussed on his work.

A lot happened quite quickly from here on. May Gurney was changing and was ultimately sold. Lee had become a Business Analyst for what was now Lafarge Tarmac.

And then his mum was diagnosed with cancer.

He travelled weekly to Liverpool to be with her, and it was on one of those visits that she said something he would remember. ’She told me that the one thing she’d always wished she’d done was travel, and that I should do that’.

Hold that thought.

‘I also found that mum having cancer had made me realise that I should maybe ‘do something with my life’.

Now, although life had moved quickly, and Lee had begun to think profoundly about the future, it’s true to say that he didn’t just set off globetrotting straightaway.

Initial thoughts about travelling were shelved. He got on with his job. ‘I loved it. I liked what I did and I liked the people’.

Lee Houghton really does like people. And it was that human spirit that brought about the event which was to prove such a catalyst in his life. Which brings us back to this coffee shop.

Every morning on his way to work he’d stop here and buy a

coffee. One morning when - like today - it was raining - he thought that the guy selling the Big Issue outside could do with a coffee, so he bought him a cup. It became a regular thing over the next few months. Lee and Simon the Big Issue seller became friends. ‘I got to know him. I’d learned a valuable lesson in not judging a book a by its cover. So I was a business analyst and he was on the pavement selling the Big Issue. What’s the difference? He’s a nice bloke and I liked him’.

And then Lee got a Christmas card from Simon saying not just Happy Christmas, but thanks.

For what you’ve done for me.

‘I was blown away. So I posted it on Facebook and Twitter’.

The story went viral. There were

millions of hits and likes. National newspapers and radio stations interviewed him.

So did Fine City magazine.

Our editor, Jonathan Horswell

feature by:

Pete Goodrum Writer, broadcaster @petegoodrum

www.finecity.co.uk

FINEPeople

was touched by the story and he arranged to meet Lee. Because, as he said at the time, he believes passionately that this magazine is all about promoting what’s best in our city Jonathan interviewed Lee for the February issue. He asked him if he was ambitious, and the answer was that whilst not overly so, he would like to travel. Stay with me. You’re about to see an ambition achieved!

As to the media furore that built at the time Lee now says, ‘It was mad. Simon had no social media presence at all so when people started buying from him like never before he wondered what was happening! He had no idea. They had to rush extra copies of the magazine to him because he was shifting so many. He earned more than he ever had, and managed to settle some bills’.

This was by any standards a bizarre development. ‘It was overwhelming’ he says. ‘I’d not done any of this for publicity. Why would I? I’d helped this guy, with a few coffees and croissants,

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because I think it’s important for people to show respect for others, whoever they are, whatever their age’.

In relating all of this Lee doesn’t mention, so I will, that his actions earned him a nomination, led by his sister, in the Pride of Britain Awards.

But these events had made an impact on him. The experience was to prove a catalyst. ‘It made me think that maybe I should now put my plans into action. To do what mum had said. Travel’.

The analyst in him came to the fore. ‘I wrote down on all the do’s and don’ts, the pros and cons of what I wanted to do. When I looked at both columns - the positives and the negatives - I saw that the only thing stopping me from travelling was my job.

I went to work, via the coffee shop, and handed in my notice.

Three weeks later I was on a plane to Thailand’.

Brace yourself. The next few paragraphs will take you, at breakneck speed, with Lee on

his travels.

He landed in Thailand and said ‘Centre. Hotel’ to a cab driver. Within a day he was, with a new friend called Thomas, on a nine and half hour bus ride to Kohchang. ‘The journey was awful. The worst bus you have ever seen. The destination was wonderful. Paradise Beach was perfection - for £4 a night!’.

From there they trekked into the jungle, by elephant. They explored remote villages whose self sufficiency inspired him.

Happily Tweeting and occasionally Googling he realised that he’d left the data roaming facility on his phone turned on. With a £500 bill for that he switched it off and sought wi fi hotspots!

‘I love Thailand but it is built on tourism, it is expensive - and frankly as a visitor you are seen as a walking ATM!’.

Next it was down to Malaysia.

Penang - ‘a remarkable place’ and all over the islands. To Kuala Lumpar and on to Singapore ‘the most incredible, if expensive,

city’ - and then to Cambodia.

Cambodia says Lee is ‘the most beautiful but devastated place’. He talks of visiting the ‘Killing Fields’ and witnessing the poverty in the place. He has anecdotes of seeing children beg, their arms pushed through barbed wire to do so, and wrestling with his conscience as there is firm advice not to give money - to anyone.

He stayed in Cambodia for three weeks and it’s obvious that the place both fascinated, and upset, him.

By now he was travelling alone, and his next destination was Viet Naam. ‘The best country I’ve ever been to’. Meeting up with five people, who he describes as ‘incredible’ and with whom he is still in touch, the next adventure reads like a road movie. ‘Me, Harry, Scott, Lee and two girls - we bought Honda motorbikes and hit the road’. 3100 miles on 125cc motorbikes, along some of the most dangerous and lawless roads in the world. They

September 2015 | 15

FINEPeople slept on beaches and showered by standing in the rain at the roadside. The caught fish and cooked it.

It’s exhausting just listening to him. Exhilarating. But exhausting.

Next stop Laos. Travelling above the tallest trees on earth by zip wire - sometimes for a mile at a time - he saw wildlife in the wild.

And then it was flight to Bangkok. ‘The airport was a shed. The plane didn’t even look like a plane. And it was tiny.

The pilot was leaning on the shed eating a sandwich’. Now this picture would make any passenger a little uneasy, but it’s at this point that I learn that this intrepid traveller (he’s been on 48 planes in the last 6 months) is scared of flying. ‘No matter how often I get on board, it gets no easier’. I point out that zooming along mile long zip wires must have been pretty daunting for him then? It’s apparently not occurred to him!

He’d considered coming home from Bangkok. Somehow though he was’t sure, although it was time to take stock of his situation.

He now saw that the for first month or so he’d been in ‘holiday mode’. After that it had become more of a journey. An all out, unplanned, voyage of discovery.

It was now a soaking up of experiences and emotions to find out about the world and himself.

The unplanned aspect is more than interesting. He’s an analyst.

How can he be someone who just drops out of the business world to drift through the rest of the world? And come to think of it, how was he funding all of this travel?

‘Oh, I had funds. I’d been saving since I was in care. A tenner here, a fiver there. Part time jobs as a kid. I did this with my own money. That’s not to say that I didn’t check the funds at Bangkok. I’d spent a bit, but there was still money in the kitty’.

And yet, this prudent, solvent, young man had set off with no real plan. It’s one of the most important parts of his metaphorical journey. ‘I learned that you can over plan, over analyse, things. Sometimes it’s best just to go with it. I

16 | September 2015

learned that it’s best to see the positive. Why would you dwell on negatives when you’re in a positive situation? It changed me’.

He changed his mind too.

Rather than come home he went to Australia. In Sydney he saw the Opera House and the harbour. ‘And I sat in a Hard Rock Cafe assessing life’.

On to New Zealand where he met up with his best friend who now lived there and had just had a baby. It was plainly emotional for him.

Christchurch followed; snowboarding and careering about on the longest rope swing in the world. Then Fiji and Samoa where he admits to two things.

He was now ‘just chilling’, and he realised he was missing his sister and his little nephew.

So he came back. And here we are, in that same Pret A Manger on a rainy August morning. That’s the travelling done then. Got it out of his system?

Umm…..no!

‘I’d said I’d take a year’s sabbatical and I’ve only done seven months. I still have some funds left’.

Lee Houghton is good at putting things into perspective.

‘I’ve travelled a lot in these last seven months but I’ve seen about a quarter of the world.

There’s three quarters still to see’.

Has it really changed him though, all of this unplanned, spontaneous journeying? He doesn’t hesitate for a second.

‘Yes. I’m happier. I can make a good thing about of a bad situation. I can see that the places I’ve been to are fantastic but the people are what really matter. I feel different. And I have memories that will last forever’.

We talk about his cooperative and supportive employers, his return to work - at some point - and how his experiences have doubtless influenced his analytical skills.

Coming full circle I put it to him that his generosity, his buying the coffee for the Big Issue seller has gone into legend, but actually it might have been the Christmas card that was the real catalyst in all of this.

He smiles. Lee smiles a lot. A

big, engaging smile that leaves you with no doubt about why people like him as much as he likes people.

Does he think that? The card was the thing?

‘I think I do’ he beams. And then he adds, ‘Wherever I’ve been I’ve been able to make comparisons. Little kindnesses like that card are the important things and you can see those little things even amongst dreadful poverty’.

So what next? He’s going to South America. Of course he is.

And he’ll come back with more stories, and more memories. He’ll return with a renewed conviction that there’s little point bothering with a ton of negatives if there’s even an ounce of positive to be

found. He’ll come back smiling, and big hearted. He’ll have seen more places but he won’t have shifted in his opinion that the people are more important. He’ll have even more perspective on life and even greater insight into what makes people behave in great, generous, uplifting ways, no matter where they come from, what start they had in life and what challenges face them. He’ll come back with more evidence that sometimes the tiniest acts of kindness are the most important ones, because all too often they’re made when adversity makes them least expected.

And when he does come back again, I really hope I can interview him again.

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Sound Sleep Sleep well this Sleeptember

A

t Sound Sleep we promote Sleeptember every September, but in fact every month should be Sleeptember. Sleep is one of the most important things in our daily routine, second to food and water, but it is the one thing that the majority of us don’t get enough of. Its not just a comfortable bed that is required, its the correct sleeping environment and the way that you behave in the evenings that can affect the way you sleep.

Our bodies are a very complex machine and need looking after so they can run effectively, sleep allows our body to rest and regenerate, also sleep is required for muscle growth and repair and even assists in weight loss.

So what can you do to ensure you get a great night’s sleep?

Firstly, your bedroom has to be the right temperature, it needs to be quiet and dark and most of all, www.finecity.co.uk

it needs to be free of distractions.

Turn the television off standby and turn off that mobile phone.

Lights, flashes and vibrations will bring us out of deep sleep and maybe even wake us up.

Its worth thinking that £1000 over 7 years is just 40 pence per night, or for a really good new mattress of approximately £500, that is just 20 pence per night.

That’s all it takes to keep our bodies comfortable so we can perform to the best of our ability every day!

Instead of over indulging on food and alcohol and too much television, do some exercise after work followed by a satisfying meal and don’t drink too much wine! Perhaps turn off the television and read or relax in a hot bath, this helps our body wind down before bed. If you are stressed about things to do tomorrow, right a list that way your brain can wind down too.

By changing a few things in life

and getting a good nights sleep will make you feel happier, feel healthier, look better, perform better and think better.

Here are a few Sleeptember sleep facts: •

•

•

Majority of Britons (70%) now sleep for seven hours or less per night with more than a quarter (27%) experiencing poor quality sleep on a regular basis. And the number of Britons getting just five-to-six hours per night has risen dramatically in the past three years: more than a third of us get by on that amount of sleep compared to 27% in 2010.

Getting a good night’s sleep is just as important as diet and exercise when trying to lose weight.

A bed may have deteriorated by as much as 70% from its ‘as new’ state after 10 years. It also showed that beds as little as six years old could offer significantly

less support and comfort than a new one, thanks to wear and tear not just from body weight and movement but also sweat and debris such as skin, scales, hair etc.

• One in six women acknowledged that their tiredness was caused by an uncomfortable bed. And seven out of 10 women would be prepared to pay £500 and considerably more to buy a new one.

• We need at least six hours of sleep a night to recharge your batteries and learn new things the next day scientists have claimed. Light, dreamless sleep which can take up half the night allows our brain to recharge our learning capacity.

• One in 10 people attribute poor sleep to a bad bed.

Facts and figures provided by The Sleep Council www.soundsleepbeds.co.uk www.sleepcouncil.com

September 2015 | 17

Perfect jogging conditions along the shore at Sheringham. Photo Daniel Tink

What makes Norfolk special?

Stephen Browning offers his opinion and that of Norfolk locals on why our fine county is so special.

T

he title of this article is in the form of a pretty simple question but the answer to it is very much more difficult. Norfolk is many things to different people.

When writer Stephen Browning and photographer Daniel Tink were invited to write a book on the county they thought it best to start with their own statement of what makes Norfolk special for them and, knowing that others would inevitably have varying perspectives, seek their opinions also. They also looked back to find what a few citizens of previous ages have said about the city. Maybe, somewhere in the midst of the differing responses, a few truths would emerge...

18 | September 2015

Our Opinion ‘Very Flat, Norfolk’ Noel Coward Old clever-cloggs, Noel Coward, was not one to let inconvenient facts get in the way of a well-crafted aphorism as his comment on our county demonstrates. It implies that this is really all there is to say about the place. And yet, from a different perspective it is a wise statement because any description of Norfolk has to be limited in scope: the skies are vast; the ocean is immeasurable; the people are hardy; the easterly wind on the North Norfolk Coast can rip through any articles of clothing; and, yes, Noel, the land IS flat. But it is not possible to come up with a valid sentence that summarises the character of

whole county.

Easier to say what it is NOT. Not one inch of it is twee or chocolate-boxy. It is not a comfortable, sweet place.

Yes, statements can be made about individual towns, themes and areas. The city of Norwich is the most complete medieval city in the Kingdom.

The northern coast is beautiful beyond description with some internationally important bird sanctuaries. The Broads are indeed, to quote Ted Ellis, ‘a breathing place for the cure of souls’. Ancient Royalty was very partial to the salted herrings of Great Yarmouth. The greatest ever British Admiral, Lord Nelson, gained a first taste for the sea at Brancaster. Cromer crabs are supreme. The range of beautiful churches, laboured on by families as an act of love for generations, are wondrous and compelling.

The county has stimulated an incredible amount of great literature - from The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to The Shrimp and The Anemone by LP Hartley. And so on.

Some places are complex and contradictory. Take Hunstanton, for example. To start with, it is pronounced ‘Hunstan’, or ‘Sunny

Hunny’ by the locals who dwell in a state of perpetual optimism.

Looking out to sea, at the never ending ‘ highway to heaven’ in hues of pink, orange, silver, green and blue, as the sun sets of a very long evening, is a never-tobe-forgotten experience of peace and stillness. As is the sighting, on lazy hazy summer days, of magical castles and boats in a mirage – OK, perhaps it isn’t – on the far horizon. Yet the sea can also blast away a pier, and a storm in the Wash, perhaps of tsunami intensity, is said to have swept King John’s crown jewels to the bottom of the ocean. At times like this, nature seems to

feature by:

Steve Browning Writer @returningperson

www.finecity.co.uk

FINEPLACES

At home on Salthouse marshes. Photo Daniel Tink

Swaffham. Photo Daniel Tink

be saying ‘take me as I am: you don’t have to like me’.

Us locals would not have it any other way. Being a ‘bit out of the way’, our county, customs, dialect and way of life have never been simple or easy to understand – no slick advertising agency can brand Norfolk as anything other than ‘Norfolk’.

That is why we love it so.

Other Opinions We asked some well-known residents and admirers why they love Norfolk and this is how they responded. We’ve also added some comments by folk of times gone by.

‘The graveyard of ambition’ ‘On the road to nowhere’ ‘Normal for Norfolk’ Just three reasons why I love Norwich and Norfolk.

I can’t think of anywhere better to live.

I was brought up in Diss. Left the county in my teens and lived in various parts of the country from Dorset to Yorkshire - before returning home. It was the best thing I ever did.

Yes, the county with its big skies, its Fine City, its market towns and charming villages is special, but it is the people who are the icing on the Norfolk cake - a rich and tasty collection of folk with a unique sense of humour.

Is it the most perfect place on Gods earth?

Not far off!

Derek James, Sheriff of Norwich 2010 and Features

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Editor, Norwich Evening News In that country of luminous landscapes and wide horizons where the wind runs in the reeds and the slow rivers flow to our cold sea, a man may still sense and live something of the life of the older England which was uninhibited, free and natural.

Alan Savory in ‘Norfolk Fowler’ I am still reeling with delight at the soaring majesty of Norfolk.

Sir John Betjeman About Norwich What a hidden gem is Norwich.

It sits in the middle of a piece of land jutting out into the North Sea with no landfall between it and the North Pole - no wonder the weather is always a favourite topic. The people have their own character and dialect, different from the rest of Norfolk, sometimes reflecting our links with those countries across the North Sea with which we traded so long ago.

The city itself, once the second most important after London, is full of surprises. Something totally unexpected may greet you as you wander down any narrow street. Yet it also has a busy and vibrant centre catering for all manner of tastes. I wonder how many other cities can boast over thirty medieval churches, two cathedrals, a onetime royal castle, be high on the list of best shopping areas and have its ancient heart still beating?

Norwich is a lovely place to live

Great Yarmouth. Photo Daniel Tink

and also to visit. So seek us out if you don’t know us. I know you will not be disappointed.

Jan King, Blue Badge Guide I am myself a Norfolk man Admiral Horatio Nelson I love Norfolk because of the beautiful countryside, surrounded by a varied and attractive coastline, the City of Norwich and the lovely unspoilt market towns, the slower pace of life, the people, and the fact that Norfolk is a destination county and not a cut through on the way to anywhere else Mike Butler, previously Jarrolds Book Department One of the joys of Norfolk is

that it seems inexhaustible in its interest. Just when you think you have seen all it has to offer you stumble across a new stretch of landscape or a new village or a building or church that you never knew about. That’s partly because it is a very large county and contains such a wide variety of terrains, waterways and flora but also because of its history of isolation so there are still remote and untouched areas. It is partly also because of the long tradition of agriculture and land that has been quiet and quietly cultivated for centuries.

I do think you have to bring something to Norfolk in order to appreciate it. It’s not a place that throws its charms at you, or that you understand with a September 2015 | 19

FINEPLACES quick visit. You have to learn how to look and how to read it and know something about its history.

Then you develop an active, and eventually deep, relationship with all the various places that you know, and that makes it personal for every individual and makes you value it far more. I think that’s why people stay, and why they come back.

Victoria Manthorpe, Norwich Society Norwich is my city of birth and I’ve come to love its rich historic past, and to delight in the fact that so much of great interest is still available to discover and enthuse over today. The county appeals to me in several ways.

The wandering lanes, which often link up with quaint villages, and which nearly always reward the visitor with sight of one of the county’s stunningly beautiful medieval village churches, of which Norfolk is blessed with the largest total of any county.

There is also something deeply soul-stirring in the county’s widesky landscapes, whether they are viewed from inland on open heath, or as cliff-top panoramas

at any of the many charming coastal resorts. Of course I’m biased, but I feel that Norfolk does ‘different’ rather well.

David Berwick, Local Historian and author of ‘Beating The Bounds In Georgian Norwich’ and ‘The Divine Delinquent’

Norwich’s St Peter Mancroft which John Wesley believed to be the loveliest parish church in England.

Photo Stephen Browning

Childhood memories of growing up in a county of wide open spaces and big blue skies, under a bright summer sun. The privilege of working at iconic buildings such as Blickling Hall and Norwich Cathedral. Relaxing times listening to the whisper of the reeds whilst watching the sun set by Cley Mill. Walking on a cold winter’s day at Blakeney.

Norfolk - there is nowhere I would rather be.

Sue Ball, Operations Manager, Norwich Cathedral Roots and skies – that’s why, for me, there’s nowhere like Norfolk! I am a product of generations of yeomen and agricultural labourers; and the clear light of those wide, uninterrupted skies reveals the splendour of a goodly heritage.

Revd Jack Burton, author and

Hunstanton. Photo Daniel Tink

20 | September 2015

www.finecity.co.uk

FINEPLACES Sheriff of Norwich 1988 I love Norfolk for so many reasons.

When I first moved here from London I soon became a single parent. Norfolk has given both my son and I so many opportunities that perhaps may not have been provided for in London.

I simply adore the rural villages dotted throughout our North NorfolkCoastline.

I love the expanse, wilderness, big skies, freedom and all the wonderful characters that make Norfolk such a great place to live in.

I love the many redundant churches, old ruins, castles, museums, fishing villages, the slower pace of life, the ability to breathe non-toxic fumes, etc.

Thank you Norfolk for giving me so much.

Sandy Watson, Aldborough, Norfolk ‘Let any stranger find me so pleasant a county, such good

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way, large heath, three such places as Norwich, Yar. and Lin. in any county of England, and I’ll be once again a vagabond to visit them.’

Sir Thomas Browne, who is buried in St Peter Mancroft Church and whose statue adorns Hay Hill Norfolk is a beautiful County offering a lifestyle that most people dream about. The Norfolk Coastline stretches for miles offering sandy beaches and scenic views. You can enjoy the coast and countryside as well as fun and culture in the City of Norwich. Where else would you find paradise? That is why we moved to Norfolk.

Anna Ovenden, Knapton, Norfolk You see, because (Norfolk is) stuck out here on the east, on this hump jutting into the sea, it’s not on the way to anywhere.

People going north and south, they bypass it altogether. For that

reason, it’s a peaceful corner of England, rather nice. But it’s also something of a lost corner.’

Someone claimed after the lesson that Miss Emily had said Norfolk was England’s ‘lost corner’ because that was where all the lost property found in the country ended up.

Ruth said one evening, looking out at the sunset, that ‘when we lost something precious, and we’d looked and looked and still couldn’t find it, then we didn’t have to be completely heartbroken. We still had that last bit of comfort, thinking one day, when we were grown up, and we were free to travel the country, we could always go and find it again in Norfolk’.

Kazuo Ishiguro, Booker Prize Winner (Remains of the Day), who gained his MA in Creative Writing from the UEA, referring to Norfolk in his novel ‘Never Let Me Go’.

My dear, never go there, it’s a dreadful place…

Attributed to a member of Lilias Rider Haggard’s Family

‘Norfolk, Exploring the Land of Wide Skies’ by Daniel Tink and Stephen Browning and published by Halsgrove is available from bookshops and online at £16.99 as well as on loan from the UK Library network.

‘Excellent book by Daniel and Stephen, a great double act’ ‘Glorious’ Derek James, Norwich Evening News

September 2015 | 21

FINEPLACES

EACH As Summer draws to a close, and people return from their holidays refreshed and relaxed, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is hoping to inspire people to use their new-found energy to raise funds and awareness for the nook appeal.

W

e recently launched our ‘cook for the nook’ fundraising initiative; encouraging baking, dining and socialising in aid of the appeal. We’re the chosen charity partner of the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival at Holkham Hall on 5th and 6th September and we’re encouraging Norfolk residents to put their culinary skills to the test. With The Great British Bake Off back on our TV screens – why not join in the fun and host your own competition to raise funds!

Our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge,

22 | September 2015

encouraged a partnership between EACH and ceramics manufacturer Emma Bridgewater last year, resulting in the production of mugs to raise funds for the nook appeal. The beautiful mugs continue to sell extremely well and so far have raised £31,815. You can buy them from Jarrold in Norwich or online at: www.emmabridgewater.co.uk We also had a garden in the prestigious Royal Marquee at this year’s Sandringham Flower Show and were awarded a ‘Large Gold Medal’ by the judges. Our ‘nook appeal garden’ was viewed by the thousands of visitors to the show including Prince Charles

and The Duchess of Cornwall.

The design told the story of our £10 million nook appeal to build a new children’s hospice to meet the demands for our services across Norfolk. The EDP is our media partner and gave us the opportunity, thanks to the show committee, to exhibit at the show. The garden was designed

by Roger Gilles of Barefoot & Gilles and Simon’s Landscaping Ltd and Practical Plants Ltd built and planted the garden.

We’re inviting local artists to enter our LoveArt Competition to raise funds for the nook appeal.

By entering the competition, artists will be donating their

artwork which will be auctioned off. The winning competition entry will be hung in the nook with a plaque inscribed with the artist’s name and title of the piece.

Entries are now open and must be received with a completed entry form by 1st November.

We also have a number of established fundraising initiatives which continue in popularity: ‘the nook foundation appeal’ asking people donate £10 to help us start building the new hospice, ‘the nook business network’ asking businesses to raise £10k, £15k or £25k and ‘friends of the nook’ asking 250 people to give £1,200 a year for three

www.finecity.co.uk

FINEPLACES years to help us reach a target of £900,000 to pay for the family suite at the nook and future services at EACH. We also have a number of organised events to raise funds and there’s plenty to choose from in the next couple of months including: Water Babies 10th Birthday Bash on 13th September from 1pm – 4pm at Hayman Lodge, Catton Park, Oak Lane, Norwich.

On the day fun activities for all the family with stalls and games and lots of prizes to be won. Free Entry and all welcome - please bring a picnic and blanket.

Pamper and Shopping Evening on 25th September from 6:30pm – 10pm at Cringleford Primary School. An evening of therapy and crafts to help raise money for the nook appeal. £15 for table plus a raffle prize. £1entry on door for general public.

If It’s Laughter You’re After on 3rd October from 7pm – midnight at Poringland Community Centre.

Proper Norfolk Show - straight from the Princes Theatre, Hunstanton. A fabulous show full of music, fun and frolics starring Olly Day, and Nigel ‘Boy’ Syer with Special Guest Maria Willis.

Tickets are priced at £18.50 which includes a fish and chip supper.

The Strictly Norfolk Ball on 16th October from 7pm – midnight at Sprowston manor Marriott Hotel, Wroxham Road, NR7 8RP. Black tie event. 7pm arrival for 7.30pm dinner, £50 a ticket includes 3 course dinner, live entertainment from the Lee Vasey Band, Casino, Auction and more.

All proceeds to EACH the nook appeal and GOSH The nook appeal Halloween Party Ball on 31st October from 7:30pm – 1am at Oasis Sports & Leisure Club. Live Band Sophie G and the Good Times and DJ and Disco with Reflex Roadshow.

Includes raffle and Charity Auction. Dress code – Evening Attire or Fancy Dress.

To find out more about any of these initiatives and events please visit: www.each.org. uk/the-nook

www.finecity.co.uk

September 2015 | 23

FINEPLACES

Ancient and modern: St Peter Mancroft and the new Forum

A Walk Around 17 Norwich Churches Norwich has two cathedrals: the Anglican and the Roman Catholic, both of which have been featured in this magazine. Here we take a walk around some of the less famous but fascinating churches in the central part of the city. Text and photos by Stephen Browning.

N

orwich has 31 beautiful medieval churches .

Unfortunately, only 9 of these are used for regular worship, although some have been converted to other uses.

There used to be more. We have no idea how many there were 1500 years ago as they were generally made of wood and were constantly being destroyed, pulled down and put up somewhere else. Much better

24 | September 2015

records were kept when flint and stone came to be used in the construction, and we know that, prior to 1500 AD, Norwich was legendary for having more churches that London, York and Bristol combined, as many as 53. First, the Jews and later, in the 16th century, the Flemish weavers who came over to escape persecution, led to a strong tradition of religious tolerance and ‘dissent’ from orthodox religious thinking –

hence ‘Dissenters’ – and swelled the number of chapels in the city.

The exact number depends on how you wish to define a church.

Hence Daniel Defoe counted 32 in 1722 whilst Corbridge’s Plan in 1727 shows 35 conventional churches – ie those with a spire or tower plus a nave – within the city walls.

The Family Project In Medieval Times To the medieval mind, the

relative size of the congregation or the amount of use were not the most important things.

Building a fine church was an act of worship and generation after generation would employ their after-work skills on a particular church - the family project, as it were. Often, they were financed by benefactors keen to leave a monument to themselves. If a church was not used, well, it was still there as you walked down the street , wasn’t it? In parts of the city there is one every few hundred yards, and just looking at it made you think of God. Many assume that the lack of use for churches is a modern-day phenomenon and yet records show that Norwich has always had, as we see it, ‘too many churches’. But we think about them with a different mindset today, a largely financial one, it has to be said.

Of course, they cost a great

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FINEPLACES deal to keep up. Many and varied have been the schemes to pay for them. Conversion of use is one such – thus we have churches used as a craft market - St Gregory; an arts centre St Swithin; a science centre, although sadly out of use at this moment - St Michael of Coslany; an art gallery - St Margaret; a printing works - St Mary Coslany; a community centre and café, but closed down at the moment of writing - All Saints Centre; a concert hall and market - St Andrew and Blackfriars; a puppet theatre - St James Whitefriars; a painting studio - St Ethelreda; and an bookshop and café - St Michael-at-Plea.

For all, though, future financing continues to be a pressing worry.

St Peter Mancroft This walk starts at St Peter Mancroft, opposite the Forum. The first mystery of this exceptionally fine church is the name – there is no St Peter Mancroft. Probably – no-one knows with absolute certainty – the name derives from ‘Magna Crofta’ which means ‘Great Meadow’, upon which the church was built in the years 1430-55.

The ‘Saint’ part probably derives from the original name - St Peter and St Paul. Thus: ’St Peter on the Great Meadow’.

So lovely are the proportions, and so large, that visitors from outside the area have been known to mistake the church for the Anglican Cathedral. John Wesley, who knew about these things, wrote that he had never seen a more beautiful parish church. Of course, he would have seen it before the unfortunate addition of the pepper castors and lead-covered fleche plonked on the top by George Street, R.A., in 1883. Wesley also said something else that strikes the visitor when standing at the West End and looking down the high and bright aisle – it is a ‘surprisingly cheerful’ place.

There is much to detain you here and there is sometimes a guide on duty who will be happy to answer questions.

The brightness is helped by the windows to the North and

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South sides. The East Window is magnificent, made entirely of 15th century Norwich glass. The roof is of timber supported by hammer beams. Hard to believe that, in the 1960s, it had to be raised and put back again after the walls, bulging under the weight, were strengthened and straightened.

There are two organs, the oldest being the East End organ, dating from 1707. The second is the West End organ of recent (1984) construction but entirely mechanical in operation. It is made of oak with limewood decorations.

Look back from the middle of the aisle and note the archway to the Ringing Tower. There are 14 bells which ring one of the finest peals anywhere in the world.

Many times have the bells rung out to celebrate important events in history – we know, for example, that the citizens of Norwich were thus alerted to the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Cross the Nave and you will see St Nicholas Chapel which contains what is called the Mancroft Heritage – religious treasures.

Many famous citizens, often Lord Mayors, have memorial plaques on the church walls.

One of great interest, from which hangs an interesting tale, is to be found on the north wall. This commemorates the life of Sir James Smith, founder of the still thriving Linnaeun Society. It was Carl Linnaeus (1707-78) who invented a new method of classifying plants which was also later used for animals. Earlier botanists had tried to classify

feature by:

Steve Browning Writer @returningperson

plants by characteristics such as colour or the shape of leaves.

Linnaeus did it according to their reproductive organs. Botany is consequently filled with sexual references. Linnaeus claimed the system was so simple that ‘ even women could understand it’.

Linnaeus worked in conjunction with Sir Joseph Banks who sailed around the world with

The Belgian Monk and the church of St John

Captain Cook and collected exotic and unusual plants.

Between them they transformed Kew Gardens in London into the world’s finest botanical garden, a position it still holds.

St Stephen’s Leaving the church, walk slightly up hill, first left and then left again into Rampant Horse Street. Opposite is the Church of St Stephen, notable for having a tower on the side, not the front. It is often open for coffee.

Dating from 1350, the structure has undergone many changes.

Now the churchyard has been pressed into service as the main walkway from Rampant Horse street into the new Chapelfield Shopping Centre.

Among the many monuments inside is one to Samuel Bignold (1791-1875), son of the founder of Norwich Union. His father, Thomas was somewhat cantankerous. He is reputed to have refused insurance to a man he disliked who wanted cover against being bitten by a mad dog on the grounds that, should a dog do this, then the

dog would assuredly be sane.

He was forced to retire after a shareholders’ revolt and Samuel took over for the next sixty years

All Saints, St John And St John De Sepulchre Carry straight on down to the crossroads and head up Westlegate. At the top on the left is All Saints Centre, a fine little church, dating from the 15th century. It contains some Victorian glass and was extensively repaired in 1913 before being made redundant in 1973.

Just around the corner is St John Timberhill. This is an AngloCatholic Church and may date, in part from 1065.

Turn up Ber Street, keeping John Lewis on your right and walk up to Finklegate where the 96 ft tower of St John de Sepulchre, each stage ‘stepping back’ from the one below, stands elegantly against the skyline.

Again, though looking every inch a church built during a single period, it is, in fact, a mixture dating from the fifteenth to the nineteeth centuries. During the Reformation it was stripped of stained glass and the coloured wall pictures covered with white paint. All was reversed in the 19th century and today it is very pretty.

Church Of St Julian Turning back along the road, right into Thorn Lane and right again into Rouen Road, you will soon come to St Julian’s Alley on your left. This leads to, arguably, the most famous small church in the city - St Julian’s Church.

A small attached cell, which can be visited today, was, for twenty years, home to Julian of Norwich (1342-1429). God spoke to her and said ‘All shall be well’. She believed that there is no anger, hatred or revenge in God’s love.

The first woman to write a book in English, her ‘Revelations of Divine Love’ was inspired by her visions, most of them in 1383, and is still in print today. As she became famous, people with troubles would come to her window and talk to her. Julian would then go from her cell into the church and pray: returning,

September 2015 | 25

FINEPLACES The Octagon Chapel, Colegate

St Julian’s Church showing Lady Julian’s cell

she would tell her guest what God had advised. There is a lovely small garden around the cell, not generally visited.

St Peter Parmentergate Leaving the church walk downhill and turn left into King Street. You will soon see St Peter Parmentergate on the left. Standing on a hill with a lovely crenalated tower, the church dates originally from the 11th century, although it was completely rebuilt in the 1500s. It was once very busy as King Street was the most important business street in the city at one time.

Inside is a monument which alone makes a trip worthwhile – the monument to Elizabeth and Richard Berney, erected by Elizabeth’s father in 1623. Of particular interest is a carving of a cherub lying on an hour glass, holding a spade: the hour glass represents the short time we are on this earth and the spade the end of life’s labours.

St George, Tombland Carry on straight up King Street, pass the crossroads and into Tombland. Just before the Edith Cavel pub turn left up Princes Street. A few yards along will find you looking at a beautiful little church – St George Tombland. It is built partly of flint rubble and partly of brick – a most expensive commodity in days gone by. The font is Purbeck marble and was carved in the 13th century. As you might expect from a church in the 26 | September 2015

centre of town, many important citizens worshipped here, as their monuments bear witness. At the west end is a tablet to John Symonds announcing a gift of two shillings a week to the poor ‘to continue for ever’. Underneath is a table, most probably for bread bought with the money.

Above his customary seat in the church is the monument to Thomas Anguish, both Sherriff and Mayor of the city. A prosperous grocer, he died in 1617 and his memorial costs the vast sum of £20. Of particular interest is that five of his children depicted are either holding skulls or resting their heads on them – a sign that they pre-deceased him.

St Clement, Colegate Head back into Tombland and turn left. Follow the road past Fye Bridge and turn left into Colegate. On the corner is St Clement Colegate, probably the first church to be built north of the river in about 1040. Just inside the door is a floor slab to the memory of Edward Wood, who was Mayor in the middle of the 17th century and lived in the magnificent house opposite, now the King of Hearts arts centre and café. His son, Robert, also became Mayor and welcomed Queen Elizabeth I on her visit to the city. Just before departing, in part as a ‘thank-you’ for some magnificent feasting, she decided to knight him and proceeded on her way.

And Octagon Chapel Follow the alley on your right leading from Colegate to The Old Meeting House, the present home of The Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia. It has a long history of dissent, starting life as a Congregationalist church just after the English Civil war with John Cromwell, a relative of the ‘Lord Protector’ himself, as an early minister. It was designed by that celebrated son of Norwich, Sir Thomas Ivory.

The same architect designed the Octagon Chapel, just up the road. It is a highly original building, octagonal in shape with, inside, eight elegant columns supporting a domed roof. This was, in 1756 when it was built, a very affluent area and so the cost was met by the Unitarian congregation. John Wesley considered it to be too beautiful: critics called it ‘the Devil’s cucumber frame’. It is an

absolute must-see, inside and out.

St George, Colegate Walk up Colegate until you come to St George Colegate, built between 1460 and 1513.

It is a fine church that was the place of worship of many city traders, particularly wealthy cloth merchants. The pews of rich oak, simple but elegant Reredos, and classical features bear witness to this fact. The inside of the church is a treasuretrove of memorials and epitaphs, including one to William and Alicia Norwich, responsible for the construction of the Nave.

Many, however, are fascinating precisely because they refer to real but unremembered lives. Particularly striking and mysterious is the story on a wellworn monument set in the nave floor. It concerns the death of Bryant Lewis, and reads:

Stone slab with a gruesome tale to tell on the floor of St George, Colegate (see text)

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FINEPLACES

St Andrews Hall is not just used for ecclesiastical purposes nowadays

...

‘Here lyeth ye body of Mr Bryant Lewis Who was barbarously murdered On ye heath near Thetford Sept 13th 1698.

Fifteen wounds this stone veils from thine eyes But reader hark! Their voice doth pierce the skies.

Vengeance cried Abel’s blood gainst cursed Cain, But better things spake Christ when he was slain.

Both, both cries Lewis gainst his barbarous foe Blood Lord for Blood, but save his soul from woe.

‘Thou shalt do no murder’ – Exd XX 13.’

The church will always

famously be known as the final resting place of John Crome, buried in the south aisle. There is also a wall tablet, in white marble, to his memory. He was the most eminent of the so-called Norwich School of Artists and details of his life and work are given earlier in the book.

St Michael, Coslany Turning right as you leave, continue up Colegate and over the busy road ahead where, on the corner with Oak Street, stands St Michael - sometimes referred to as St Miles - Coslany.

The chapel facing the road was built by Robert Thorpe in 1500 and experts will tell you that here is as magnificent a piece of

Exquisite flintwork on the walls of St Michael, Colegate

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Detail of stonework outside St Andrew’s Church

flint flushwork as can be found anywhere in England. It is one of five churches in Norwich where bells are still rung – it has eight. Robert Thorpe and his three wives are buried here and, fittingly perhaps, the grandest monument by far in the church attests to his virtue, learning – ie books stacked around him – and certainty of paradise in the form of a cherub about to place on his head the crown of eternal life.

The walk now retraces steps for a few hundred yards and proceeds past the former Norvic shoe factory, now Jane Austen College, and carries on up Merchants Street.

The Halls On your left at the end is St Andrew and Blackfriars, known simply as the Halls, is a complete medieval monastic complex, and there is nothing like it in the rest of the UK. It was built between 1307 and 1470 by the Dominican Friars. After the dissolution of the monasteries, Norwich petitioned King Henry VIII to sell the buildings to the city. Subsequently, the halls were used for feasting, fairs, as a school, a granary and even workhouse. Beautiful outside, with flint elegantly faced with intricate stone work, the most impressive part of the complex is nevertheless the vast and gorgeous St Andrew’s Hall with an impressive roof supported by hammerbeams. This must be one

of the finest concert venues in the kingdom as the acoustics were very important to the early friars and they are excellent The oldest part of the complex is the crypt, now a café and dates from about 1250. It has been suggested that this might have been the sleeping quarters for the 60 friars – the same number, incidentally, as lived and worshipped in the Anglican Cathedral. The cloisters hold weekly antique markets.

St Andrew Across the street is the largest church in the city after St Peter Mancroft – St Andrew. Built in what is termed Perpendicular Gothic style in the years following 1478, it verily dominates the skyline as if competing with the splendour of the adjacent Halls – which was quite possibly the intention. For this was a rich church, on a main highway through the city and it contains probably more memorials and epitaphs than any other. Some of Nelson’s ancestors are buried here. Amongst others is a very grand one, in brown marble, and topped with angelic musicians, commemorating Sir John Suckling who held high office under James I. Another wall plaque celebrates the life of Dr Thomas Crowe who died on 10 August 1751, commenting that ‘His skill and integrity were revered by all who knew him’.

Turn left down St Andrews September 2015 | 27

FINEPLACES Street when leaving and left again into St John Maddermarket at the top of which stands a church of the same name. An interesting feature here is the ‘raised’ burial ground which you pass on your right before reaching the church.

There were many complaints in the 16th and 17th centuries that such grounds had too many bodies piled up inside them and not enough earth to cover them.

The church is quite small but has a fine collection of brasses.

St Giles on the Hill

St Giles On The Hill Take a route along Pottergate and cut left up Upper Goat Lane until the road crosses Giles Street where you take a right turn. A little way along you will see the 120 foot high tower of St Giles on the Hill – it used to have a fire basket to guide the ships on the River Wensum below as it stands on the highest ground in the city. The parish of St Giles is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) but the present church dates from about 1430.

A very early example of the perpendicular style, it has a peal of eight bells. The remains of Sir Thomas Churchman, Mayor in 1761, lie here. He was a most generous man, giving much of his money to charity, and not shy – his monument lists his greatest donations.

From here, you can walk up Bethel Street and back to St Peter Mancroft where this walk began.

This is one of eleven walks taken from the book ‘Norwich’ in the Halsgrove Discover Series. It is written by Stephen Browning and priced at £14.99

Next Time: We take a walk around 20 interesting Norwich pubs!

The Latest Must-­ Fry Food Trend

C

ancel the kebab, and don’t bother with burgers, because there’s a new trend in town - and it’s a British fish and chip shop classic; the fritter.

The humble fritter, so often demoted to the tail end of the chippy menu, has been given a new lease of life and is making a culinary comeback at Norfolk fish and chip restaurant Eric’s Fish & Chips.

From the simple Smoked Potato Fritter, to delicious Curried Lamb and tasty Thai Spiced Crab options, Eric’s are hoping to free the fritter from its dated image and give it the foodie fame it deserves.

Sitting pretty along the picturesque Norfolk coast, Eric’s

28 | September 2015

Fish & Chips was opened by Eric Snaith, head chef of nearby Titchwell Manor, in April this year. Serving traditional fish and chip favourites along with more modern, European plates, such as halloumi and spinach arancini and grilled mackerel with lemon,

herbs and garlic, the restaurant has already established itself as a local favourite and dining destination.

With a menu featuring both savoury and sweet options, fritters are available now costing from £2.

Fill your lungs with the fresh, salty sea air and celebrate the reinvention of a fried food favourite at Eric’s Fish & Chips.

For more information visit www.ericsfishandchips.com

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FINEPLACES

Seaside Days Out Families shun traditional seaside days out as visits decline by 20 per cent in just a decade •

•

•

Over half (58 per cent) of adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have not had a day trip to the coast in the last 12 months Those aged 18-24 are far less connected to our coast than those aged 55+ The nation is invited to share their love of the coast using #lovethecoast; helping the charity finish ‘The Nation’s Ode to the Coast’, curated by Dr John Cooper Clarke

A new report out today (Wednesday 12 August) reveals a 20 per cent decline over the last 10 years in the amount of people visiting the British coast for a day out each year (62 per cent in 2005 vs 42 per cent in 2015), with over half the nation (58 per cent) having not had a single day trip to the coast in the last 12 months.

The comparative study of 9,000* people by the National Trust over a 10 year period, details a steady decline in the nation’s feelings of connectedness to the coast despite the research showing that 88 per cent of adults in

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England, Wales and Northern Ireland regard the coast as a national treasure.

In the East of England, just 43% of respondents said they had been on a day trip to the coast in the last 12 months, with 32% saying they had taken a holiday to the coast.

Just 22% of people in the East said they visited the coast once a month or more, whilst for 37%, a trip to the seaside happens two or three times a year.

But 95% believed that it was important the coast is kept beautiful for future generations to enjoy.

11% of people in the East said that the Norfolk coast in general was particularly special to them, with a further 9% specifically mentioning Cromer, Great Yarmouth, Hunstanton, Wells next the Sea or Sheringham – whilst Suffolk or one of its coastal towns (Southwold, Lowestoft or Aldeburgh) was the top choice for 5% of people in the region.

Feeling connected to the coast is also on the decline in younger generations with only 14 per cent of 18-24 year olds saying that their happiest childhood memory is being by the sea, which is

half the national average (29 per cent). This rises to 38 per cent of 55+ year olds.

Coastal value in the older generations sees 94 per cent of those aged 55+ agreeing that it is important that all parents give their children the opportunity to experience the UK’s coast or seaside. 88 per cent of people with children in their household also agree, and this falls to 77 per cent agreement amongst those aged 18-24.

The biggest barrier stopping people hitting the shores more often has been revealed as not having enough spare time to get to the coast (29 per cent).

Additional reasons credited to the decline were: UK coasts being too busy when the weather is nice (23 per cent); too expensive (18 per cent); not having easy access to transport (17 per cent) and; preferring to go abroad than holiday on Britain’s coast (14 per cent).

Despite the study revealing a worrying decline in people visiting the British coast, there is an overwhelming sense of pride and affection for our shores with 81 per cent of people agreeing that our coastline makes this country a better place to live and more than one in five (22 per cent) day dreaming of the coast during everyday life.

Ben Cowell, Regional Director for the National Trust in the East of England, said: “Our region is defined by its special coastline.

From Norfolk’s beaches and resorts to the seaside towns and

coastal landscapes of Suffolk and Essex, there are so many places for people to enjoy. Lots of people come to the East of England from other parts of the country to take advantage of our wonderful coast – so it’s a shame to see that fewer of the people who actually live here are choosing to do the same. If you do one thing this summer why not spend a day at the seaside – you won’t regret it!”

2015 sees the 50th anniversary of the Trust’s Neptune Coastline Campaign - one of the longest running environmental campaigns in western Europe which has resulted in the charity managing 775 miles of coast in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, equating to over 10% of the UK’s coastline. In the East of England, the Trust manages 117 miles of coastline, with 66.8 miles of the Norfolk coast, 28.8 miles of Suffolk and 21.3 miles of Essex.

To celebrate this milestone and as part of a wider summer-long campaign, the Trust is inviting members of the public to help one of Britain’s most celebrated poets, Dr John Cooper Clarke, complete a specially commissioned poem– reminding the people of the UK of just what the coast can offer. The nation is now invited to help finish the poem by sharing their memories and love of the coast using #lovethecoast.

The National Trust is here to protect the coast: for ever, for everyone.

September 2015 | 29

Jonathan Ollivier Theatre pays tribute to ‘immense talent’

30 | September 2015

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FINEARTS

N

orwich Theatre Royal has paid tribute to professional dancer Jonathan Ollivier, who died yesterday morning in a motorbike accident in London.

The 38-year-old dancer, from Northampton, had danced at Norwich Theatre Royal over the past 15 years in roles with Northern Ballet and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.

He had been due to give his final performance in the lead role of Matthew Bourne’s Car Man at Sadler’s Wells, London, yesterday – a role which had garnered high praise from critics and audiences alike.

Programming and Communications Manager for www.finecity.co.uk

Norwich Theatre Royal, Jane Walsh said: “Everyone at the theatre has been shocked and saddened to hear of Jonathan’s tragic and untimely death.

“We were extremely privileged to see him dance here in Norwich on a number of occasions and always immensely enjoyed his wonderful performances, following his career first with Northern Ballet and then more recently with New Adventures.

He was an immense talent with a strong and charismatic presence on stage and, in addition to his exceptional dance abilities, he always gave very theatrical and memorable performances, particularly in Swan Lake.

“His talent will be a huge and irreplaceable loss to the world

of dance and we send our most sincere sympathies to his family and friends, and to his wider family at New Adventures.”

Jonathan, who trained with the Rambert School of Dance, was a principal dancer with Northern Ballet Theatre and also danced with Cape Town Ballet in South Africa and the Alberta Ballet in Canada. He worked with choreographer Michael Clarke and starred in the first UK tour of Dirty Dancing, and was a principal dancer for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, dancing in the lead role of Swan/Stranger in Swan Lake which Norwich audiences saw him perform in 2010 and again in 2013. He also danced as Luca in The Car Man and Speight in Play Without

Words for New Adventures.

Norwich audiences first saw him with Northern Ballet in October 2001 when he danced as Stanley in A Streetcar named Desire and he also performed at the Theatre Royal in La Traviata and Dangerous Liaisons.

Jonathan was awarded an honorary fellowship to the Dance Critics Circle and nominated by them as Best Young Dancer in 2003 and Best Male Dancer in 2004.

Police have said he was riding his motorbike in Clerkenwell in central London on Sunday morning when he was involved in a collision with a car.

September 2015 | 31

FINEARTS

First acts announced for annual Out There Festival International acts line-up for circus & street arts celebration in Great Yarmouth

T

he cream of international circus and street arts make their way to Great Yarmouth from 18 to 20 September this year as the Out There Festival returns to take over the traditional Norfolk seaside town with a packed weekend of things to see, experience, get involved in and enjoy.

Featuring everything from daring acrobatics and aerial stunts, to dazzling dance and theatre shows, hilarious walkabout acts and spectacular large-scale street theatre, the festival is firmly placing placed Great Yarmouth on the international map.

Now in its eighth year, the

32 | September 2015

Out There International Festival of Circus and Street Arts has become a massive success, attracting audiences of more than 50,000 each year to the town. Produced by Great Yarmouth based arts charity SeaChange Arts, it is now one of the country’s largest circus and street arts festivals and has become a key event for visitors and local families.

The festival boasts an incredibly cosmopolitan programme, thanks to SeaChange Arts’ many project partnerships on the continent. The organisation works extensively with partners in France, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium.

‘The international flavour is part of what makes Out There so

vibrant,’ says Chief Executive of SeaChange Arts Joe Mackintosh.

‘Continental acts bring a new and exciting perspective to the festival, often working on a massive scale – with thousands lining the streets to witness our headline Saturday night performances.’

‘Out There refers to our geographic location, out on the edge of the east coast,’ he continues, ‘but it is also about the approach we take to programming. We always aim to leave audiences with their mouths agape. The memory of something weird and wonderful fresh in their mind.’

Centred around St. George’s Park and spreading across the town’s streets, venues and open

spaces, Out There brings a mix of comedy, spectacular aerial and walkabout acts.

On Friday Evening C’era Una Volta (Once Upon A Time), from Italian company Ondadurto Teatro, is a spectacular multimedia outdoor show for all ages drawing on fairy tales and legends to create a colourful, enchanting revue combining physical theatre, circus, dance, machinery, fireworks, video and music.

Saturday night’s headline show is Tambours de la Muerte (Drums of Death), by renowned French company Transe Express. A processional performance, based on the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead, featuring gigantic skeleton puppets, stilt walkers and masked drummers,

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FINEARTS takes to the night-time streets for a spectacular show featuring acrobatics, dance, music, flames and fireworks.

Festival favourites Dizzy O Dare are back with Body of Wires, a new wire walking show, produced by Seachange Arts.

Belgium’s Full Stop Acrobatic Theatre use circus, dance and theatre to explore masculinity and femininity in Outside the Box. The crazy, anarchic clowning of a dysfunctional family are celebrated in The Hogwallops by Lost in Translation Circus, SeaChange’s resident international company with members from Italy, France, Ireland and Australia. Earlier this year The Hogwallops toured to Italy and France and when it arrives at Out There it will be fresh from a month long run at the Edinburgh Festival.

The Garden on Trafalgar Road is an area dedicated to showcasing brand new work by a quartet of established companies and emerging performers, giving festival-goers the chance to be the first to see the headline shows of tomorrow.

Out There also includes three indoor, ticketed events including a totally unique ‘gameshow’ The Money, at the Tolhouse. There are no actors and no script; instead the audience has 2 hours to unanimously decide how to spend the pot of real money on the table. They can be as creative as they like as long as they keep within the law. Will they donate to charity or could one participant persuade the rest to let him/her take it all?

As well as providing a largely free festival for resident and tourists, Out There is also an important meeting place for people working in the industry.

SeaChange hosts their second annual symposium event, bringing around 80 leading artists, programmers and producers to Great Yarmouth for discussion and debate on key issues in the sector.

Out There takes place from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September, with performances taking place throughout the day. Most shows are free. The

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full festival programme will be announced over the coming weeks. Keep up to date with all the latest news at www. outtherefestival.com.

SeaChange Arts are working closely with Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Arts Council England to support the regeneration of Great Yarmouth and to establish the town as an international centre for circus skills and street arts. Already The Drill Hall in Great Yarmouth is becoming a hub for circus companies from all over Europe who use its facilities to create new shows that will tour the world.

Hedley Swain, Area Director, South East, Arts Council England, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to support SeaChange Arts to deliver a high quality international festival that not

only delivers a strong cultural tourism offer, but is also firmly rooted in the community within which it takes place. Out There Festival is a unique event which attracts circus and street artists from across the UK and Europe, and makes a great contribution to the art form and the town in equal measure. The event is an important date in the UK festival calendar and the associated international symposium encourages a critical debate on collaboration, quality, and the future of the sector.’

Cllr Graham Plant, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council said ‘The borough council is a key supporter of the festival. As the largest festival of its kind in the east of England, Out There offers something very special and provides yet another reason for

people to visit Great Yarmouth late in the season, helping to support the local economy and boost Great Yarmouth’s reputation as a cultural centre.

I look forward to another successful event for 2015.’

Gordon Mitchell, Interim Chief Executive, Great Yarmouth Borough Council said ‘The Out There Festival welcomes world class international talent and also celebrates the town’s diverse populations and nuances. It is at the same time an immensely cosmopolitan, yet distinctly Yarmouth event. This twopronged approach has created a rich, vibrant, multi-layered festival that can be celebrated by local people and visitors alike. The Borough Council is immensely proud to support its continued growth.’

September 2015 | 33

FINEARTS

Out There The international circus and streets arts festival, Out There!, hits Great Yarmouth this month. Tony Cooper reports

The Colour of Time 2014

T

he cream of international circus and street art performers will flock to the traditional Norfolk seaside town of Great Yarmouth to take part in Out There - a festive weekend offering family fun and more running from Friday 18th to

feature by:

Tony Cooper Writer tc@tony-cooper.co.uk

34 | September 2015

Sunday 20th September.

Featuring everything from daring acrobatics and aerial stunts to dazzling dance and theatre shows as well as hilarious walkabout acts and spectacular large-scale street theatre, the festival, without any shadow of doubt, is firmly putting Great Yarmouth on the international cultural map.

Now in its eighth year, the Out There International Festival of Circus and Street Arts has become a massive success attracting audiences of more than 50,000 each year to the town and is produced by Great Yarmouth-based arts charity, SeaChange Arts, an independent arts charity forging cultural partnerships on the Continent and currently working with likeminded partners in France, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.

‘The international flavour and

cosmopolitan programme of Out There make the festival so fresh, vibrant and engaging,’ enthused Joe Mackintosh, chief executive of SeaChange Arts, which works as the arts development and promotion agency for Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

‘Acts from the Continent bring a new and exciting perspective to the festival often working on a massive scale. For example, thousands line the streets to witness our headline Saturday night performances. It’s so encouraging and gratifying to see.

‘The name of the festival, by the way, refers to Great Yarmouth’s geographical position jutting out towards the edge of the east coast,’ he continues, ‘but it is also about the approach we take to programming. We always aim to leave audiences with their mouths agape and the memory of something weird and

wonderful fresh and bubbling in their minds.

‘Our focus on circus and street arts grows naturally from Great Yarmouth’s rich and wonderful performance heritage and provides us with an accessible medium for all kinds of projects, interventions and activities.

Throughout the year we work with communities, schools, producers, artists, festivals and local and international partners on a number of projects, sometimes intimate, sometimes immense but always inspirational!

‘It’s gratifying to see the festival going from strength to strength and much of the work produced throughout the year is showcased at the Out There festival centred round St George’s Park and spreading across the town’s streets, venues and open spaces. It’s now the region’s largest free festival of www.finecity.co.uk

FINEARTS street arts and circus conjuring up a mix of comedy, spectacular aerial and walkabout acts.’

And the headline act on the opening day (Friday 18th) is an evening performance by Ondadurto Teatro, an Italianbased company, whose work, C’era Una Volta (Once Upon A Time, comprises a spectacular multimedia outdoor show for all ages drawing on fairy tales and legends to create a colourful, enchanting revue combining physical theatre, circus, dance, machinery, fireworks, video and music.

Saturday night’s show, Tambours de la Muerte (Drums of Death), by the renowned French-based company, Transe Express, looks just as interesting.

Comprising a processional performance, the scenario’s based on the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead and features gigantic skeleton puppets, stilt-walkers and masked drummers. They’ll take to the night-time streets for what promises a spectacular show featuring acrobatics, dance, music, flames and fireworks.

Festival favourite, Dizzy O Dare, returns to the festival with his new wire-walking show, Body of Wires, produced by Seachange Arts, while Belgium’s Full Stop Acrobatic Theatre arrives on the scene with their amazing new show, Outside the Box, which uses circus, dance and theatre skills to explore the parallels that exist between masculinity and femininity.

The crazy, anarchic clowning of a dysfunctional family can be enjoyed in The Hogwallops by Lost in Translation Circus, the resident international company of SeaChange. They’ll be working with performers from France, Italy, Ireland and Australia. Earlier in the year, the show toured to France and Italy and by the time the company reaches Great Yarmouth they’ll be fresh from a month’s run at the Edinburgh Festival.

The Garden on Trafalgar Road - an area dedicated to showcasing brand-new work by established companies as well as emerging performers - offers festival-goers the chance to

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be the first to see the headline shows, hopefully, of tomorrow.

Out There also includes three indoor, ticketed events, too, including a totally unique ‘game-show’ The Money, at the Tolhouse. There are no actors and no script. Instead, the audience has two hours to unanimously decide how to spend the pot of real money on the table. They can be as creative as they like as long as they keep within the law. Will they donate the money to charity? Could one participant persuade the rest to let him/her take it all?

As well as providing a largely free festival for residents of Great Yarmouth and visitors alike, Out There is also an important meeting-place for people working in the industry. Therefore, SeaChange will host their second annual symposium gathering around 80 leading artists, programmers and producers to Great Yarmouth for discussion and debate on key issues in this growth arts sector.

Working closely with Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Arts Council England, SeaChange Arts have done amazingly well over the past few years in supporting the regeneration of Great Yarmouth and helping to establish the town as an international centre for circus skills and street performance arts. The Drill Hall, for example, is fast becoming a hub for circus companies from all over Europe who use its facilities to create new shows that will tour the world.

Hedley Swain, area director for Arts Council England, south-east region, had this to say: ‘We’re delighted to be able to support SeaChange Arts to deliver a high-quality international festival that not only delivers a strong cultural tourism offer but is also firmly rooted in the community within which it takes place. Out There Festival is a unique event which attracts circus and street artists from across the UK and continental Europe making a great contribution to the art form and the town in equal measure.

The event’s an important date in the UK festival calendar and

September 2015 | 35

FINEARTS

Mark Brew Island

36 | September 2015

the associated international symposium encourages a critical debate on collaboration, quality and the future of the sector.’

Councillor Graham Plant, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, is equally enthusiastic: ‘The borough council is a key supporter of the festival. As the largest festival of its kind in the east of England, Out There offers something very special and provides yet another reason for people to visit Great Yarmouth late in the season, helping to support the local economy and boost Great Yarmouth’s reputation as a cultural centre. I look forward to another successful event for 2015.’

Gordon Mitchell, interim chief

executive of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, was full of praise, too: ‘The Out There Festival welcomes world-class international talent and also celebrates the town’s diverse populations and nuances. It is at the same time an immensely cosmopolitan yet, distinctly, Yarmouth event. This twopronged approach has created a rich, vibrant and multi-layered festival that can be celebrated by local people and visitors alike. The Borough Council is immensely proud to support its continued growth.’

Check out www. outtherefestival.com for more information.

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FINEARTS

Events At A Glance Friday 18th September

C’era Una Volta (Once Upon a Time) Ondadurto Teatro (Italy) FREE A multimedia outdoor show - which promises to be sensational! in which fairy tales and fantasy come together in a circus-noir world where the borders between good and evil are evenly blurred.

The Money Kaleider (UK) Drama, deliberation and decision-making combine in this exceptional piece of game theatre. No actors, no script, just a pot of money on the table that YOU must decide how to spend before the end of the show.

The Tolhouse (ticketed indoor theatre show)

Bring Me Sunshine Stuff & Things (UK) Free New interactive show from street arts experimentalists Stuff & Things - be prepared for the unexpected! Performances take place ‘on-the-move’ around Great Yarmouth and will finish at a secret location in the town centre.

Saturday 19th September

Tambours De La Muerte Transe-Express (France) Free Somewhere between heaven and hell, fire and fiesta, combine in a spectacular street procession celebration of Mexico’s Day of the Dead.

A Festa Continua - The Party Goes On Kumpania Algazarra (Portugal) Free The ultimate feel-good party band from Portugal fusing Balkan rhythms and Latin beats with ska, reggae, funk and Afrobeat creating a unique sound. www.finecity.co.uk

Wot? No Fish!! Bread&Circuses (UK) The heart-warming true story of a Jewish family living in 20thcentury London told through the drawings Abe Solomon sketched on his wage-packet for his wife every week for over half a century.

St George’s Theatre (ticketed indoor theatre show)

Bring Me Sunshine Stuff & Things (UK) Free New interactive show from street arts experimentalists Stuff & Things - be prepared for the unexpected! Performances take place ‘on-the-move’ around Great Yarmouth and will finish at a secret location in the town centre.

Saturday 19th/Sunday 20th September (Free events take place in St George’s Park and all over the town centre)

Barada Street Barada Street / Richard Kimberley (UK and Kyrgyzstan) Free

Laugh, cry and cheer for these two beautiful idiots in an intimate, playful and hilarious show combining music, acrobatics, humour and elegance.

Body Of Wires Dizzy O Dare (UK) Free A bewitching blend of ground-up dance and double tightwire! Magic and music combine to conjure up a captivating, provocative and powerful show.

Boom! Boom Productions (USA) Free

Circus acrobatics and mask theatre from a wacky cast of characters.

Circus Fergus (Ireland) Free Fire juggling, a unicycle and gentle humour create a wonderfullyentertaining family show.

Cock-Tales Theater Paspartout (Germany) Free A hilarious trio of comical, magnificently-feathered human-sized chickens strut around playing musical clowning.

September 2015 | 37

FINEARTS Ex Aequo Circus Katoen (Belgium) Free Impressive acrobatics and skilful juggling tell the story of two young people sharing a flat.

Funky Fidelma (Ireland) Free Comedy, circus skills and acrobatics abound as Funky Fi tries to reach the top of her five-metre pole.

The Giant Balloon Show Dizzy O Dare (UK) Free

The Lift Wet Picnic (UK) Free With its comedic wit and British eccentricity this is a surreal experience you won’t forget from an elegant elevator and its attendants.

Madame Bonbon And Her Manservant Nobby Cocoloco (UK) Free Madame Bonbon is a barking-mad royal personality in a cup-cake dress and a dramatically-precarious hair-do who wanders around the town spouting batty tongue twisters and ridiculous riddles.

Mother Says! Ramshacklicious (UK) Free

An innovative theatrical experience featuring feverous balloon sculptures, high- energy comic performance and the all-important giant balloon!

A comic musical walk-about in which Jack discovers that the world is not as dangerous as his mother claims.

The Hogwallops Lost In Translation Circus (UK) Free

Mr Mustache Street Show Mr Mustache (Italy) Free

A vulgar, grotesque family bicker, scheme and play practical jokes in this fusion of fun, fabric and flying bodies.

An entertaining street show with magic tricks spiced with interactive games with the audience and juggling.

Hold On Stefano Di Renzo (Italy) Free Signore di Renzo works towards a dynamic fusion between circus and physical language examining potential meanings and story through equilibristic, object manipulation and corporal movement. His show promises a spectacular display of strength and balance.

(i)Land Marc Brew Company (UK) Free An outdoor dance performance, the show will deliver original music exploring the themes of identity, isolation and independence.

Johan Lorbeer (Germany) Free

Professor Plunger Cabaret Boom Boom (UK) Free Zany clowning will come from this charming olde-world rogue with a little cheeky grin and an impressively large head of hair to match.

The Oss And The Ox Kate Flatt Company (UK) Free A colourful, outdoor processional performance featuring local participants of all ages in which the English Oss (hobby horse) and Brazilian Ox battle on the streets.

A gravity-defying ‘still-life’ performance as Herr Lorbeer seemingly floats in mid-air against the side of a building.

Outside The Box Fullstop Acrobatic Theatre (Belgium) Free

Kermiz Le Cirque Du Platzak (Netherlands) Free

Aerial circus, acrobatics, theatre, dance and crazy stunts challenging ideas of masculinity and femininity can be assured in this show promising great things.

Discover a world where anything’s possible with this delicious mix of old and new circus, peppered with rousing folk music.

The Rose And The Thorn Jr Circus (UK, Italy, Romania) Free In a UK première, young performers from Italy, Romania and the UK provide a circus reinvention of Shakespeare’s eternal love story.

Shipwrecked Circomara Sailing Circus (Ireland) Free A sailor finds himself stranded on an uninhabited island and must battle sand and high heights to survive in this blend of comedy and thrilling acrobatic theatre.

The Vegetable Nannies Plungeboom (UK) Free The Nannies are out for the day, telling tales and proudly showing off their prized collection of Vegetable Babies.

SUNDAY 20th SEPTEMBER

At The End Of Everything Else Make Mend And Do (UK) Live animation, shadow puppetry and sound combine in this charming family show about how friendship can save the planet.

St George’s Theatre (ticketed indoor theatre show)

Get out there and enjoy Out There!

38 | September 2015

www.finecity.co.uk

FINEARTS

Jennifer Grace Music

J

ennifer Grace Music and Vocal Academy in Norwich have had a very successful 18 months so far since opening up in Unit 21c Hellesdon Park Road Industrial Estate.

We have seen JGM go from strength to strength and are considering opening up earlier in the day to cope with demand for singing, piano and guitar and drum lessons.

We celebrated Jenny Sadler’s 20th year in the business. Jenny started out above Jack Whites in St Benedict’s street Norwich and over the years out grew the premises and opened up Jennifer Grace Music and Vocal Academy to expand with 5 new studios, a reception area and an upstairs that has a stage. Jenny

www.finecity.co.uk

was thrilled to receive a gold disc presented to her from the students of the Academy past and present for all her hard work and appreciation at the 20th Anniversary ceremonial evening of Entertainment.

In July some of our talented students were invited to sing at ‘Dubs at the Hall’ which is a VW festival held each year at Holt Hall North Norfolk. They made a little stage for our students to perform on which also got a fantastic response from the public. Such a good day was had by all involved and we have been asked back next year!

We also celebrated Jacquii Cann’s 50th Birthday, Jacquii who started teaching with Jennifer Grace Music Academy in 2013. Jacquii won a tv

programme called Stars In Their Eyes as 80’s icon Alison Moyet back in 1993 with Matthew Kelly.

Jacquii is still performing the odd gig but has settled in nicely and said that ‘she has never felt so relaxed’ in her work, working with all ages from 8 to 86 Jacquii said ‘’ it has been a truly wonderful move from performing to 1000’s to teaching solo or small groups who one day may go on to do more in the music business.

We had to say goodbye to Rebecca Woodrow who has been with us for a while now teaching Theory and is off to University to study music. We wish her all the very best and we hope to see her back one day.

We are very proud to announce that we are the first music Academy in Norfolk and Suffolk to sign up an apprentice.

We welcome Luci Hopkins. Luci has studied with us and has achieved her grade 8 vocal. Luci also plays piano and guitar and is looking forward to passing on her many talents to other students.

Jenny was bowled over with how Luci communicates with others and so offered her the chance to be our first apprentice.

Pop Parties have been going well; we offer traditional party games and music plus

Karaoke for those budding little performers. Please enquire for more details.

JGM’s singing group which meets once a week on a Wednesday 6.30pm until 8.00pm. Still deciding on a name, the singing group would love new members to come along.

Open to all ages and no need to audition as this is a relaxed friendly bunch of ladies and gents of all ages who share the love of singing an array of songs from old to new and making new friends. Please contact us if you would like to get involved.

Here at Jennifer Grace all of the tutors are all experienced performers and are all still entertaining the crowds. Please like our facebook page to keep up to date with all the latest news and where our students and teachers will be performing next.

If you are interested in having lessons with Jennifer Grace Music and Vocal Academy please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.

Please check out our website www.jennifergracemusic. co.uk/ or find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ JGMAcademy

September 2015 | 39

FINEARTS

Magnificent Obsessions Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector is the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts’ latest exhibition opening at the University of East Anglia later this month on Saturday 12th September.

C

elebrating the many and varied motivations for collecting, the exhibition (running to 24th January 2016) presents the fascinating personal collections of post-war and contemporary artists including Andy Warhol, Arman, Peter Blake, Edmund de Waal, Damien Hirst, Howard Hodgkin, Sol LeWitt, Martin Parr, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Pae White.

Curated and organised by London’s Barbican Centre, the exhibition reveals the hidden world of the artist’s collection. By including both artworks and works from their private collections, the exhibition shows the many ways in which the astonishing variety of things that artists surround themselves with directly impacts the art they make.

While many of the participating artists are recognised internationally their collections are often less well known and the majority have never been seen in East Anglia before this exhibition.

Many of us form collections throughout our lives and, therefore, the exhibition sheds light on the universal compulsion to collect.

Throughout history artists have collected objects for many reasons: as studio props, sources of inspiration, references for their work, personal mementos and as investment.

Unlike museums, artists do not always take a scholarly approach to collecting nor do they seek to assemble comprehensive and representative collections. Reflecting personal interests and obsessions, their acquisitions are usually made in tandem with their own work and often for aesthetic reasons.

Their collections range from mass-produced memorabilia to rare art and artefacts and from natural history specimens to curios and objects reflecting popular culture. These extraordinary collections help reveal the creative processes of some of the most important artists of the last half century.

Damien Hirst became the celebrated artist at the forefront of Brit Art in the 1990s, notorious for his sharks and sheep, suspended forever in formaldehyde. Perhaps it comes as no surprise to learn that he’s an avid collector of taxidermy. To Hirst, collecting is an affirmation of life and a reminder of its brevity. It is a fascination which creeps into his artistic practice.

Howard Hodgkin’s glorious paintings in brilliant colour are collected and shown internationally but perhaps he is less well known for his important collection of jewel-like Indian miniature paintings. It was at school that the young Hodgkin was introduced to Indian paintings by his art teacher, who also encouraged him to start his own collection.

Hodgkin first visited India in 1964, a trip which had a tremendous effect on his future work and fuelled his passion for collecting yet further. Hodgkin said on collecting: ‘A great collection often seems to be the result of one very rich man going shopping. It isn’t. It is really partly illness, an incurable obsession.’* After more than half a century of collecting and refining his collection, Hodgkin’s collection of Indian miniatures is now regarded as one of the most important in Britain. A few outstanding examples are included in the exhibition.

In 1960s America, Andy Warhol redefined what we consider as art with his Pop prints of everyday items such as Brillo pads and Heinz 40 | September 2015

Collection: Hiroshi Sugimoto Jacques Gautier d’Agoty Plate II from Myologie complete en couleur et grandeur naturelle, vol I, 1746.

Collection of Hiroshi Sugimoto

soup tins. An obsessive collector, Warhol hoarded an ever-growing stash of brick-a-brack and had a particular passion for massproduced cookie jars.

And here in the UK, Peter Blake made iconic Pop Art works from the 1960s with a quirky combination of painting, print, collage and objects. As a teenager he bought objects, paintings and books from a station junkyard, triggering a lifetime of collecting. His home and studio are now filled with an eclectic mix of objects that range from elephants to shop signs and Punch and Judy puppets.

Sir Robert and Lisa Sainsbury - who established the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts when they generously gifted their art collection to the UEA in 1973 - bought works from Tokyo-born Hiroshi Sugimoto from his New York gallery and these works form part of the permanent collection of the Sainsbury Centre.

Deeply influenced by the writings and works of Marcel Duchamp as well as the Dadaist and Surrealist movements as a whole, Sugimoto also expresses a great deal of interest in late-20th-century modern architecture and speaks, too, of his work - which focuses on the transience of life and the conflict between life and death - as an expression of ‘time exposed’ or photographs serving as a timecapsule for a series of events in time.

Now an internationally-acclaimed artist working with photography, Sugimoto’s career as a dealer of antiquities led to personal acquisitions and his intriguing collection includes early medical illustrations and glass eyes and so forth. www.finecity.co.uk

FINEARTS

Collection: Peter Blake Elephant figurines from the collection of Peter Blake.

Photo by Hugo Glendinning.

Other individual collections include African art and samurai armour owned by Arman, Edmund de Waal’s Japanese netsuke, Sol LeWitt’s Japanese prints, modernist photographs and music scores as well as 20th-century British postcards and Soviet space dog memorabilia from British documentary photographer, Martin Parr, who’s well known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological look at aspects of modern-day life.

And on top of all this there’ll be more than one thousand vintage scarves and other textiles on display from the collection of 1960s-born Los Angeles-based artist, Pae White, created by the 1907-born American artist/designer, Vera Neumann, best known for her boldlycoloured linen patterns and scarves which she always signed ‘Vera’ featuring a ladybug. White recalls: ‘As a young artist I spent a great deal of time in thrift stores and flea markets buying clothes and looking for inspiration and would frequently come across Neumann designs for a dollar or 50 cents or even less.’

Professor Paul Greenhalgh, Director of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, and himself a passionate collector of ceramic pots, said: ‘This is a fascinating and hugely exciting exhibition as it gives a real insight into how these particular artists think. Their diverse collections not only inform their art but are another direct and tangible expression of their creativity.’

Visitors to the exhibition will also be invited to share their collections to create an interactive display that will form part of the exhibition.

An associated hardback book Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector by Lydia Lee will be on sale at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts shop during the exhibition. Published by Prestel: GBP 37.50 / ISBN: 978-3-7913-8152-7

Artwork: Howard Hodgkin Howard Hodgkin The Studio of Jamini Roy, 1976-79 Government Art Collection © Howard Hodgkin. Courtesy Gagosian Gallery © image: UK Government Art Collection

Scarves designed by Vera Neumann from the collection of Pae White.

Photo by Justin Piperger, courtesy Barbican Art Gallery, 2015 Copyright © VNIP Holdings, LLC Reprinted by permission of VNIP Holdings, LLC.

Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector 12th September 2015 to 24th January 2016 £12/£10.50 Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ www.scva.ac.uk T: 01603 593199 E: scva@uea.ac.uk * Taken from an essay ‘On Collecting Indian Paintings’ by Howard Hodgkin published in the associated hardback book Magnificent Obsessions The Artist as Collector by Lydia Lee, which will be on sale at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts shop during the exhibition.

Published by Prestel.

ISBN: 978-3-7913-8152-7

www.finecity.co.uk

Collection: Hiroshi Sugimoto 50 Glass Eyes, 1811-88 Collection of Hiroshi Sugimoto

September 2015 | 41

FINEARTS

Magnificent Obsessions Norwich-based arts writer, Tony Cooper, reports on the Sainsbury Centre’s latest exhibition

A

n exciting new exhibition Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector - opens at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, this month, Saturday, 12th September.

Celebrating the many and varied motivations for collecting, the exhibition (running to 24th January 2016) presents the fascinating personal collections of post-war and contemporary artists including Andy Warhol, Arman, Peter Blake, Edmund de Waal, Damien Hirst, Howard Hodgkin, Sol LeWitt, Martin Parr, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Pae White.

Curated and organised by London’s Barbican Centre, the exhibition reveals the hidden world of the artist’s collection.

By including both artworks and works from their private collections, the exhibition shows the many ways in which the astonishing variety of things that artists surround themselves with directly impacts the art they make.

While many of the participating artists are recognised internationally their collections are often less well known and the majority of them have never been seen in East Anglia before this exhibition.

Many of us form collections throughout our lives and, therefore, the exhibition sheds light on the universal compulsion to collect. Throughout history artists have collected objects for many reasons: as studio props, sources of inspiration, references for their work, personal mementos and as investment.

Unlike museums, artists do not always take a scholarly approach to collecting nor do they seek to assemble comprehensive and representative collections.

42 | September 2015

Reflecting personal interests and obsessions, their acquisitions are usually made in tandem with their own work and often for aesthetic reasons.

Their collections range from mass-produced memorabilia to rare art and artefacts and from natural history specimens to curios and objects reflecting popular culture. These extraordinary collections help reveal the creative processes of some of the most important artists of the last half century.

Damien Hirst became the celebrated centre of Brit Art in the 1990s, notorious for his sharks and sheep, suspended forever in formaldehyde. Perhaps it comes as no surprise to learn that he’s an avid collector of taxidermy.

Howard Hodgkin’s glorious paintings in brilliant colour are collected and shown internationally but perhaps he is less well known for his important collection of jewel-like Indian miniature paintings and one such piece on show in Magnificent Obsessions is a vibrant 18thcentury ‘pahari’ work attributed to the artist, Nainsukh. It depicts the complex and dramatic tale of the disrobing of the beautiful Draupadi and is executed in brilliant gouache with gold detailing.

Draupadi, by the way, is described in the Mahabharata - one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayanam - as being extraordinarily beautiful. In fact, one of the most beautiful women of her time: ‘Of eyes like lotus-petals and of faultless features endued with youth and intelligence, she’s extremely beautiful. And the slenderwaisted Draupadi of every feature perfectly faultless and whose body emitteth a fragrance like unto that of the blue lotus for two

Artwork: Andy Warhol: Andy Warhol Pom, 1976 East Anglia Art Fund; on loan to Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery (Norfolk Museums Service) © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc./Artists Rights Society (ARS) New York and DACS, London

full miles around who’s existence could take away people’s breath, she was the most beautiful woman ever born.’

Pahari painting literally means ‘a painting from mountainous regions’ and, therefore, ‘pahar’ translates as ‘mountain’ in Hindi and is a generic term used for this form of Indian painting originating from the Himalayan hill kingdoms of north India from the 17th to the 19th century. And one of the most notable exponents of this art form was Nainsukh, a well-known master in the mid18th century.

But closer to home and contemporary life, American Pop artist Andy Warhol redefined what we consider as art in the glorious and freewheeling decade of the 1960s with his Pop prints of everyday items such as Brillo pads and Heinz soup tins. An obsessive collector, Warhol hoarded an ever-growing stash of brick-a-brack and had a particular passion for massproduced cookie jars.

And here in the UK, Peter Blake made iconic Pop Art works from the 1960s with a

quirky combination of painting, print, collage and objects. As a teenager he bought objects, paintings and books from a station junkyard, triggering a lifetime of collecting. His home and studio are now filled with an eclectic mix of objects that range from elephants to shop signs and Punch and Judy puppets.

Sir Robert and Lisa Sainsbury - who established the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts when they generously gifted their art collection to the UEA in 1973 bought works from Tokyo-born

feature by:

Tony Cooper Writer tc@tony-cooper.co.uk

www.finecity.co.uk

FINEARTS Hiroshi Sugimoto from his New York gallery and these works form part of the permanent collection of the Sainsbury Centre.

Deeply influenced by the writings and works of Marcel Duchamp as well as the Dadaist and Surrealist movements as a whole, Sugimoto also expresses a great deal of interest in late20th-century modern architecture and speaks, too, of his work which focuses on the transience of life and the conflict between life and death - as an expression of ‘time exposed’ or photographs serving as a time-capsule for a series of events in time.

Now an internationallyacclaimed artist working with photography, Sugimoto’s career as a dealer of antiquities led to personal acquisitions and his intriguing collection includes early medical illustrations and glass eyes and so forth.

Other individual collections include African art and samurai armour owned by Arman, Edmund de Waal’s

Japanese netsuke, Sol LeWitt’s Japanese prints, modernist photographs and music scores as well as 20th-century British postcards and Soviet space dog memorabilia from British documentary photographer, Martin Parr, who’s well known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological look at aspects of modern-day life.

And on top of all this there’ll be more than one thousand vintage scarves and other textiles on display from the collection of 1960s-born Los Angeles-based artist, Pae White, created by the 1907-born American artist/ designer, Vera Neumann, best known for her boldly-coloured linen patterns and scarves which she always signed ‘Vera’ featuring a ladybug. White recalls: ‘As a young artist I spent a great deal of time in thrift stores and flea markets buying clothes and looking for inspiration and would frequently come across Neumann designs for a dollar or 50 cents or

even less.’

Visitors to the exhibition will also be invited to share their collections to create an interactive display that will form part of the exhibition.

Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector

12th September 2015 to 24th January 2016 £12/£10.50 Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ www.scva.ac.uk T: 01603 593199 E: scva@uea.ac.uk

Artwork: Damien Hirst Last Kingdom, 2012 White Cube, London © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2014.

Photographed by Prudence Cumming Associates Ltd.

Collection: Damien Hirst Unknown maker Montage display of 24 tropical birds Mid-19th century Courtesy Murderme Collection

www.finecity.co.uk

Collection: Andy Warhol: Cookie jars formerly in the collection of Andy Warhol Image courtesy the Movado Group, New Jersey

September 2015 | 43

FINEARTS

Rambert Dance takes inspiration from the art world – October 8 & 9, 2015

R

ambert returns to Norwich Theatre Royal this October with thoughtprovoking drama, superb live music and world-class dancing in a programme of new works Didy Veldman’s Picasso-inspired The 3 Dancers and Alexander Whitley’s Frames, as well as a returning favourite, Shobana Jeyasingh’s Terra Incognita.

Drawing on the true story behind Picasso’s masterpiece of the same name, The 3 Dancers is a new work exploring the eternal themes of the painter’s work: love, desire and death.

Internationally-renowned Dutch choreographer Didy Veldman’s choreography features two men and one woman, and a further three dancers as their shadows or darker selves, to delve into the social, psychological and human elements of Picasso’s work.

Veldman is well known for her theatrical style and earthy choreography, and she explores how one of the painter’s most distinctive styles, Cubism, can be applied to movement to create the fragmented atmosphere and world which is so distinctive in Picasso’s work.

Picasso’s relationship with dance and dancers extended beyond his paintings. He collaborated with Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes on several productions between 1917-1922, the most famous of which were Parade and The Three Cornered Hat for which he designed sets and costumes. It was during this time he met and married ballerina Olga Khokholova and became good friends with choreographer Mayasin and composer Stravinsky.

He painted The Three Dancers in 1925, a few years after his work with Ballets Russes, during a period of turmoil in his private life. It depicts the tragic love-triangle between his friends Ramon Pichot, Carlos

44 | September 2015

Casagemas and Pichot’s wife Germaine Gargallo, whom Casgemas was violently in love with. Casagemas’s love was unrequited so he tried to shoot Gargallo before committing suicide. The Three Dancers was painted upon Pichot’s death 25 years later and also provided a savage satire on the Ballets Russes and his wife Olga, both of which he had become increasingly disillusioned with.

The 3 Dancers also features an original score by Australia’s leading composer Elena KatsChernin who is known for her diverse output of work, which includes operas, orchestral, chamber and solo pieces, as well as music for theatre, film and dance. Her compositions are highly rhythmic with bittersweet melodies.

Frames is a new work from Rambert alumni, Alexander Whitley, which lays bare the process of making a dance performance. Twelve performers assemble and disassemble the set of 70 metal bars as they move lighting and change angles, constantly creating new spaces and playing with what’s revealed and what’s hidden in their sequences of virtuosic, highly technical dancing.

Frames premiered in Glasgow in February 2015 before travelling to London’s Sadler’s Wells in May. This thoughtprovoking work, which sees dancers create a stage within a stage, is a continuation of Whitley’s collaboration with award-winning visual artists Tuur Van Balen and Revital Cohen and is inspired by Fordist and post-Fordist production exploring ideas of design, production and consumerism.

The work is accompanied by a new score from Icelandic composer Daníel Bjarnason.

Completing the programme is Shobana Jeyasingh’s Terra Incognita, which draws on urban

legends and ancient cartography to look at the politics and power of journeying into the unknown.

Terra Incognita is choreographed by groundbreaking dancemaker Shobana Jeyasingh. Her distinctive style combines mathematical rhythmic patterns from classical Indian dance with contemporary movement. Terra Incognita draws on urban legends and ancient cartography to look at the politics and power of journeying into the unknown.

The work features Jeyasingh’s distinctive style which combines the elaborate patterning of Indian classical dance with contemporary movement. Its original new score for string orchestra and electronics by composer, DJ and producer Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei Prokofiev, draws on influences ranging from Russian classical to tango to dark electronica. Prokofiev’s other recent commissions include a violin concerto marking the 100th anniversary of the First World War for the 2014 BBC Proms.

All three pieces, presented on October 8 and 9 at 7.30pm nightly, accompanied by live music from the Rambert Orchestra, and the 1.30pm matinee performance on October 9 will feature an introduction by Rambert’s artistic director Mark Baldwin. (Frames will not be performed as part of this matinee).

Listing: Rambert runs from Thursday 8-Friday 9 October at 7.30pm, and Friday matinee at 1.30pm.

Tickets £7-£24. Discounts for Friends, Corporate Club, Over-60s, Under25s, Groups and Schools.

There is a Pre-show Talk on Thursday October 8 at 6.30pm. Please order free tickets for the talk from the Box Office.

BOX OFFICE 01603 630000. For more info or to BOOK ONLINE www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

www.finecity.co.uk

FINEARTS

Before The Party Celebrated Actors Join Forces For Comedy Production – September 14-19

T

hey are two of the UK’s best-loved stars of stage and screen, but have never performed together – until now.

For the first time in their celebrated careers, Tom Conti and Gwen Taylor are set to take to the stage in the wickedly satirical comedy Before The Party.

Premiering at the Theatre Royal Windsor on 2 September ahead of a short run at 6 selected theatres including Norwich Theatre Royal, Tom will also be directing this brand new production of writer Rodney Ackland’s black comedy, having first directed it in 1980 at the Apollo Theatre in London starring Jane Asher and the late Michael Gough.

Tom Conti is one of the most respected and celebrated actors of his generation. Unforgettable www.finecity.co.uk

as the leading man in Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and Shirley Valentine, he has also appeared as myriad characters on screen and stage. He was recently voted Most Popular Actor in the West End alongside Dame Judi Dench.

Last seen at Norwich Theatre Royal in autumn 2013 in the tense courtroom thriller Rough Justice, Tom has also been touring the UK this year in another thriller with justice at the core as Juror #8 in Twelve Angry Men, a role he reprised from the successful and sold-out extended run of the drama at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End. He will star opposite Gwen Taylor, who is best known in recent years for her role as Anne Foster, mother of the villainous Frank Foster in Coronation Street, but she is also much loved for

starring in the ITV sitcoms Duty Free, A Bit of A Do with David Jason – for which she was nominated for a Best Actress TV Bafta - and as the lead character in Barbara.

Gwen also has a strong theatrical pedigree last appearing at the Theatre Royal opposite Timothy West and Michael Jayston in 2010, with her other stage credits including Driving Miss Daisy, The Butterfly Lion, Prick Up Your Ears and Calendar Girls.

It sees the Skinner family attempting to return to normal life at the end of the war. They decide to organise a social gathering but there are a number of problems looming ranging from the difficulty of acquiring the finest food against a background of rationing, through to the return of their daughter Laura who is hiding a major secret.

Based on a short story by Somerset Maugham, it has been adapted for the stage by Rodney Ackland who has recently seen a huge resurgence in the popularity of his work, which is much admired by the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Bill Nighy.

John Bultitude, of Norwich

Theatre Royal, said: “Before The Party is all about keeping up appearances whatever the cost.

Even though she is back from Africa, Laura Skinner discovers middle-class life can be just as tribal and hard to navigate as living on the other side of the world.

“This stunning production promises to be a real treat for drama fans. Tom Conti’s stage presence and performing calibre speaks for itself. Add in the fantastically versatile Gwen Taylor, and this fantastic acting duo are sure to give a stunning performance at the head of this must-see piece of theatre.”

Listing: Before The Party, Monday 14-Saturday 19 September at 7.30pm, and Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets £7-£24.

Discounts for Friends, Corporate Club, Over-60s, Under-18s and Groups.

To book, log onto www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000.

September 2015 | 45

FINEARTS

Alina Ibragimova & Cédric Tiberghien

Mitsuko Uchida

Norfolk & Norwich Chamber Music Norwich-based arts writer, Tony Cooper, previews the new season of Norfolk & Norwich Chamber Music

A

nd what a season!

And one that has a strong international flavour to it as well with musicians flocking to Norwich from Russia, Japan, France, Romania, Germany and Ireland, coupled with well-established English musicians, to entertain audiences to a host of spectacular and popular works from the chamber music repertoire.

And opening the season at the John Innes Centre will be none other than the celebrated Japanese-born pianist, Mitsuko Uchida, who has worked with 46 | September 2015

many of the world’s foremost orchestras, recorded a wide repertory with major labels and won numerous awards and honours including being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2009. She’s making a very rare appearance away from the world’s most-famous concert halls while making her first visit to Norwich. Her concert on Tuesday 22nd September (7.30pm) promises an exciting programme comprising Berg’s Piano Sonata, Schubert’s Four Impromptus, Schumann’s Piano Sonata No.1

and Mozart’s Rondo in A minor, a dazzling piece in which to finish her recital.

The Brodsky String Quartet Daniel Rowland and Iain Belton (violins), Paul Cassidy (viola) and Jacqueline Thomas (cello) - follow in her wake with an afternoon’s concert on Sunday 4th October (3pm) featuring Shostakovich’s Quartet No.7, Beethoven’s Quartet in E flat (The Harp), Schubert’s Quartettsatz in C minor, Webern’s Six Bagatelles and Zemlinsky’s Quartet No.4.

Russian-born superstar Alina Ibragimova and her Frenchborn musical partner Cédric

feature by:

Tony Cooper Writer tc@tony-cooper.co.uk

Tiberghien continue their highlyacclaimed journey through the complete Mozart violin sonatas and, once again, Norwich is the only venue outside London to hear them perform this cycle.

Book the date now: Saturday 24th October (7.30pm). It’s certain to be a hot ticket!

And the popular Contempo String Quartet - Bogdan Sofei and Ingrid Nicola (violins), Andreea Bancu (viola) and Adrian Mantu (cello) - now the resident quartet of RTÉ Television, Ireland’s national broadcaster - makes a welcome return visit to John Innes on Saturday 14th November (7.30pm) to perform Haydn’s Quartet in C major and Janácek’s Quartet No. 2 (Intimate Letters). They’ll also be joined by Finghin Collins for a performance of Dvorák’s Piano Quintet in A major, premièred in Prague in January 1888. The quintet is acknowledged as one of the masterpieces of the form along with those of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms and Shostakovich.

Aficionados of Chopin will be delighted to know, too, that Finghin Collins will be staying over to the next day (Sunday www.finecity.co.uk

FINEARTS 15th) for an afternoon’s concert at John Innes (3pm) performing an all-Chopin programme opening with the Prelude in C sharp minor and closing with the Twelve Etudes.

And on the eve of their John Innes concert, the Contempos will be setting up shop at The Chapel, 64 Park Lane, Norwich (7.30pm) - affectionately known as ‘Roger’s Chapel’ - performing Mozart’s Quartet in D major and Bartók’s Romanian Quartet (a reminder of the quartet’s heritage) as well as Tan Dun’s Eight Colours for String Quartet, the first piece the composer wrote after settling in New York in 1986.

The work, together with In Distance and Silk Road, marks the period of Tan Dun’s first contact with the concentrated lyrical language of western atonality and consists of eight very short sections, almost like a set of brush paintings, through which materials are shared and developed. The subjects are described by the eight interrelated titles and form a drama, a kind of ritual performance structure. Not only timbre but the actual string techniques come from Peking Opera as well as vocalisation of opera actresses. Buddhist chanting can also be heard.

The outstanding Berlin-based

Finghin Collins

Fauré String Quartet make their first visit to Norwich - Saturday 12th December (7.30pm) offering a programme of piano quartets comprising Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G minor, Brahms’ Piano Quartet in C minor and Fauré’s Piano Quartet in C minor. The next day (Sunday 13th) you can catch them, too, at The Chapel where they’ll be performing a midday concert comprising Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 1 and Mussorgsky’s famed and exciting work, Pictures at an Exhibition.

For a considerable number

of years Norfolk & Norwich Chamber Music have hosted a chamber music weekend in January which has been highly successful, For this season, the weekend - programmed by the Belgian-born cellist, David Cohen, and aptly entitled ‘Cello con Brio’ - falls on Saturday/Sunday 16th/17th January featuring one concert on the Saturday and two the following day.

And David - who’s rapidly becoming recognised as a leader of his generation of cellists - will be joined over the weekend by the Finnish pianist

Henri Sigfridsson and by the French-American violinist Corinne Chapelle as well as by members of the Smith String Quartet - Ian Humphries and Rick Koster (violins), Nic Pendlebury (viola) and Deirdre Cooper (cello). Now into its third decade, the quartet remains at the cutting edge of new music world.

Saturday’s programme features Brahms’ Piano Sonata No.1 in C major followed by his Sonata for Violin and Piano No.1 with the programme concluding with Arensky’s Piano Trio No.1 while Sunday’s morning concert serves

Fauré String Quartet

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September 2015 | 47

FINEARTS

David Cohen

up a marvellous programme comprising Schnittke’s Suite in the Old Style, Beethoven’s Cello Variations ‘Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen’, Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne and Paganini’s Moise Variations on one string.

Opening the afternoon’s concert will be Michael Nyman’s String Quartet No. 5 (‘Let’s not make a song and dance out of this’) and Gavin Higgins’ ‘Howl’ for solo cello and string quartet. The concert ends with Schubert’s String Quintet in C major offering a strong contrast musically speaking as well as a grand finale to what promises a fine weekend of music-making.

The Schubert work, by the way, is the composer’s only fully-

Paul Lewis

48 | September 2015

fledged string quintet which has been praised as ‘sublime’ and as possessing ‘bottomless pathos’ and is generally regarded as the composer’s finest chamber work as well as one of the greatest compositions in all of chamber music.

But prior to the weekend, David has still found time to fit in a curtain-raiser at The Chapel - Friday 15th January (7.30pm) performing Bach’s Solo Suite No. 1 in G major, Gordon Crosse’s New Work and Ysaÿe’s Sonata for Solo Cello.

And probably the mostrespected English pianist of his generation, Paul Lewis makes a welcome return visit to Norwich on Saturday 6th February (7.30pm) to perform a blistering and entertaining programme featuring Brahms and Liszt keeping good company with Schubert. The programme opens with a couple of works

by Brahms: Three Intermezzi; Four Ballades and continues with Liszt’s Après une Lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata (a piano sonata in one movement) and Schubert’s Sonata for Piano No. 9 in B major.

The dynamic and up-andcoming Busch Ensemble - Omri Epstein (piano), Mathieu van Bellen (violin) and Ori Epstein (cello) - visit Norwich for the first time on Saturday 20th February (7.30pm) under the auspices of the Kirkman Concert Society to

play piano trios by Brahms and Schubert while their programme also includes a work by the Dutch composer and clarinettist, Theo Loevendie, entitled Ackermusik, composed in 1997. And as an encore to their Norwich visit, they’ll perform a midday concert at The Chapel the next day (Sunday 21st) playing works by Beethoven and Mendelssohn.

The programme: Beethoven’s ‘Kakadu’ Variations, based on the theme of Wenzel Müller’s song, ‘Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu’, published in 1824 and the last of Beethoven’s piano trios to be published. The work’s notable for the contrast between its solemn introduction and the lightweight variations that follow. Completing the programme is Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor, one of the composer’s most popular chamber works and widely recognised as one of his greatest along with the Octet in E flat major, composed in the autumn of 1825 when the composer was just 16 years old. Amazing!

The season concludes on Saturday 2nd April (7.30pm) with a visit from one of the world’s finest clarinettists, Michael Collins, who’ll join members of the Heath String Quartet - Oliver Heath and Cerys Jones (violins), Gary Pomeroy (viola) and Christopher Murray (cello) - to treat the audience to a couple of the greatest clarinet quintets ever written by Mozart and

Brahms while their concert ends with Mozart’s Adagio and Fugue in C minor.

And the Heath Quartet stays over, too, for a midday concert at The Chapel (Sunday 3rd) performing Bartók’s Quartet No. 1, a work partly inspired by the composer’s unrequited love for the Hungarian violinist, Stefi Geyer. In a letter to her, Bartók called the first movement a ‘funeral dirge’ and its opening notes trace a motif which first appeared in his first violin concerto. The programme concludes with Ravel’s Quartet in F major, the structure of which was modelled upon Debussy’s String Quartet written in 1893.

Debussy, in fact, greatly admired Ravel’s piece rather more than its dedicatee, Ravel’s teacher, Gabriel Fauré.

Before all concerts - apart from the opening concert with Mitsuko Uchida on 22/9 - there’ll be a free pre-performance talk or discussion with the musicians.

This takes place one hour before the starting time of each concert and lasts for about 30 minutes.

All of N&N Chamber Music concerts take place at the John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH.

Box office: Prelude Records, St Giles’ Street, Norwich.

Tel: 01603 628319 www.preluderecords. co.uk On-line booking: www. norwichchambermusic. co.uk/tickets Any further information concerning N&N Chamber Music, please contact the Hon Sec, Roger Rowe, MBE, at 60 Park Lane, Norwich NR2 3EF. Tel: 01603 621169 rrowe@paston. co.uk or visit www. norwichchambermusic. co.uk

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FINEARTS

Jesus Christ Superstar Top-Class Cast Assembled For WorldRenowned Rock Opera – October 19-24

T

he hit show which changed the face of musical theatre and became a global smash hit is on its way to Norwich Theatre Royal.

A brand new production of Jesus Christ Superstar is set to take to the stage with a cast made up of top-class performing talent.

Taking on the lead role is Glenn Carter who will be reprising a part he has played to critical acclaim in the West End, on Broadway and on film.

He has a strong performing pedigree having starred in a host of top productions including Whistle Down The Wind, Les Misérables, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Godspell.

He will star opposite Australian performer Tim Rogers, who takes on the role of Judas. Tim made his UK debut on this side of the world 15 years ago and has not looked back since appearing in the West End and touring production of Whistle Down The Wind, West Side Story, Jersey Boys, Aspects of Love, the lead role in Jekyll And Hyde at the Union Theatre, and most recently appeared in Carousel at London’s

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Arcola Theatre.

And X Factor finalist Rachel Adedeji swaps prime-time TV stardom for the stage when she plays Mary Magdalene, fresh from appearances in the tour of Thriller Live.

Jesus Christ Superstar, which is performed at Norwich Theatre Royal from October 19-24, also boasts a strong team behind the scenes with the show codirected by Bob Tomson and top impresario Bill Kenwright. The pair are used to being at the helm of top musicals including Evita in the West End and on tour, and Blood Brothers which has won four West End awards and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

When the show, penned by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, was first performed in 1971, it became a sensation. The rock opera follows the last seven days of Jesus’s life told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

The compelling events coupled with a host of legendary songs including I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar have made it a mustsee show.

Lead performer Glenn Carter said the production examines the relationship between Jesus

and the people closes to him.

He explained: “Judas, the protagonist and the character, challenges Jesus and tells him he’s going off the rails because he is doing things he said he would never do. It looks at his fame and notoriety and whether power is going to his head. Jesus Christ Superstar is really about addressing an authority and an ideal, and asking whether it has become compromised.”

And fellow performer Rachel Adedeji said everyone can get something out of the production.

She said: “It is beautiful and pretty straightforward. I don’t think you have to be a believer or know the story to understand the musical. You just need to sit back and watch.”

Listing: Jesus Christ Superstar, Monday 19-Saturday 24 October at 7.30pm, and Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.

Tickets £8-£36.50.

Discounts for Over-60s, Under-18s and Groups.

Captioned performance on Wednesday 21 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Audio-described performance on Saturday 24 October at 2.30pm.

Book now at www. theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000.

September 2015 | 49

FINEARTS

Maddermarket Here’s what’s on at Maddermarket this month Facing The Music With Patricia Routledge And Edward Seckerson Thu 03 September 2.30pm It is still one of the best kept secrets in show business that Patricia Routledge trained not only as an actress but also as a singer and had considerable experience and success in musical theatre, both in this country and in the United States of America. Her many awards include a Tony for her Broadway performance in the Styne-Harburg musical Darling of the Day and a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. Her one woman show Come for the Ride toured the UK in 1988 and in 1992 she played Nettie Fowler in the highly acclaimed production of Carousel at the National Theatre.

In 1998 she was honoured with the Gold Badge of Merit by the Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

In this fascinating encounter with the writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson she recalls this very special part of her career with access to some rare and treasured recordings.

Writer, broadcaster and podcaster Edward Seckerson is a founder member of The ArtsDesk.com. He wrote and presented the long-running BBC Radio3 show Stage and Screen where he interviewed

Formerly Of Bucks Fizz

many of the biggest names in the business – among them Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, Liza Minnelli, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. During his journalistic career he has written for most major music publications and is on the review panel of Gramophone magazine. Edward conducted one of the last major interviews with Leonard Bernstein and his audio podcast Sondheim – In Good Company has proved a significant contribution to Sondheim’s 80th birthday year.

Tickets £18.50

Formerly Of Bucks Fizz Fri 04 September 7.30pm In the eight weeks between that first meeting and appearing on ‘A Song for Europe’ on 11th march 1981, Bucks Fizz were hurled into a melee of rehearsing, recording, routining, styling, interviews and photography. All that hard work and effort was to pay dividends - they went on to win the Song for Europe and Eurovision Song Contest 1981 and became household names around the world.

With over 20 singles released over the next few years including 3 number ones, ‘My Camera Never Lies’, ‘Land of make Believe’ and of course, ‘Making Your Mind Up’, they sold in excess of 15 million records, spending 219 weeks in the

Le Theatre De Decadence Sophia St. Villier by Life Is Yours Photography

UK charts alone! ‘Making Your Mind Up’ went to No 1 in nine countries!

Although working for several years now, there was obviously one thing missing - a fourth person! The vocals were always there but the dance routines that Fizz was so famous for, were definitely lacking, so in comes Bobby McVey who was also a Eurovision entrant but in 1984 for the UK. Let’s make this night a night to remember like the prestigious 30th anniversary sell-out gig at the London Palladium...And yes, they still rip the skirts off!

Tickets £22.00

Villier and Florian Brooks this is a show which indulges it’s audience in class and sparkle.

Tickets £16.50

The Simon And Garfunkel Story Mon 07 September 7.30pm 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Direct from London’s West End, award winning actor Dean Elliott (Buddy Holly in Buddy -The Musical) and a full cast of performers tell the compelling story of the greatest music duo of all time in this 50th anniversary celebration.

Using huge projection photos

Le Theatre De Decadence Sat 05 September 7.30pm Back by popular demand Le Theatre de Decadence returns to the Maddermarket Theatre with a glittering array of acts from across the UK. Hosted by international burlesque artist, Natalya Umanska (Burlesque Idol Finalist 2013), and featuring performances from Sophia St.

50 | September 2015

The Simon And Garfunkel Story

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FINEARTS and original film footage, The Simon and Garfunkel Story also features a full live band performing all their hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more. With every performance creating a standing ovation this is an evening not to be missed!

Tickets £17.00 (concessions £15.00)

The Raymond Froggatt Show Tue 08 September 7.30pm Raymond Froggatt, a stalwart of the music industry, a star 50 years in the making. Froggie has spent 50 years treading the boards, writing and singing songs that have been covered by so many other artists. Song writer for Sir Cliff Richard for ten years, the Dave Clark Five covered one of Froggies compositions back in the day, and had a massive hit record.

There are not many artists that Froggie has not written for or recorded with, but to name a couple, the legendary Isaac Hayes, the now knighted Sir Elton John. Froggie counts among his many friends, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, friends since childhood, they grew up just around the corner from each other and were, in and out of each other’s homes, a friendship which endures today. Chosen by many visiting acts to accompany them on their UK European tours, the list is endless.

His concerts are sold out across the country and abroad, Froggie writes and sings his own songs mesmerising his audience, making them laugh with one of his many stories or cry with emotion with a song that touches the heart like no other.

Raymond has released another album of songs to coincide with this new tour. Still today his songs are recorded by major artists; add to this that in in 1992, he became an author. Raymond released his autobiography telling stories of his earlier years in the music business.

An evening with Raymond Froggatt and his band is magical.

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An evening not to be missed.

Tickets £12.50

Dan Cruickshank Wed 09 September 7.30pm Religious strife, civil conflict, waves of immigration, the rise and fall of industry, great prosperity and grinding poverty – the handful of streets that constitute modern Spitalfields have witnessed all this and much more. Now long-time Spitalfields resident Dan Cruickshank tells the story of his neighbourhood, from Roman times to the present day, explaining how its streets evolved, what people have lived there, and what lives they have led.

En route, he tells the story of the Huguenot weavers who made Spitalfields their own after the Great Fire of London.

He recounts the experiences of the first Jewish immigrants. He evokes the slum-ridden courts and alleys of Jack the Ripper’s Spitalfields. And he describes the transformation of the Spitalfields

he first encountered in the 1970s from a war-damaged collection of semi-derelict houses to the vibrant community it is today.

This latest book, to be published in October, is a fascinating evocation of one of London’s most distinctive districts. At the same time, it is a history of England in miniature.

Dan Cruickshank is an architectural historian, celebrated author and television presenter.

He has written and presented many programmes for the BBC since the early 1990s, including Around the World in Eighty Treasures and The House Detectives. More recently, he presented a six-part series, The Country House Revealed, to great acclaim. Dan has written and co-authored dozens of books, including The Secret History of Georgian London, The Rape of Britain (with Colin Amery) and Dan Cruickshank’s Bridges: Heroic Designs that Changed the World.

Tickets £15.00

“A Bite Of Bach For Lunch” - Concert 3 Wed 09 September 1:15pm Maddermarket Redwell Bar From 12:30 Chamber Orchestra Anglia Lunchtime Concert Series 2015 “A Bite of Bach for Lunch” Bach Complete Works for Solo Cello and Violin Concert 3 Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major Performed at St. John the Baptist Church, Maddermarket, Norwich (next to the Theatre) A rare opportunity to hear the complete unaccompanied works

by Bach performed by violinist Simon Smith (Artistic Director of Chamber Orchestra Anglia) and Katherine Jenkinson (Chamber Orchestra Anglia Principal Cellist).

Enjoy a light lunch then stroll up to the beautiful and atmospheric Church of St. John the Baptist.

Tickets include a light lunch at 12.30pm at the Redwell Maddermarket Bar at the Theatre.

Look out for other concerts on the 16th September, 7th and 14th October.

Tickets £9.00 (including light lunch at 12.30pm)

Barbara Dickson Live With Nick Holland

Barbara Dickson

Thu 10 September 7.30pm Nick Holland joined Barbara Dickson’s touring band in the mid 2000’s after working with Troy Donockley in the Maddy Prior Band and recording with Maddy on a couple of her seminal albums which Barbara knew and admired. He also sang on her ‘Full Circle’ album, the first to feature the style of music she now performs.

In 2009, Barbara was offered a festival where a ‘duo’ line-up seemed more effective and she asked Nick to join her.

She played all the guitars and piano and Nick, keyboards and vocals. The festival was such a success musically, they decided to continue to perform in that format. Since then, they have played together in Cathedrals and Abbeys, Folk Festivals and Theatres and developed an

September 2015 | 51

FINEARTS feature jazz to suit a wide range of tastes, from mainstream through to the most exciting contemporary projects, featuring local, national and international artists alike.

Why not come down to the Maddermarket Redwell bar and enjoy good music, great conversation with friends and a jam with the trio.

Tickets £5 on the door

“A Bite Of Bach For Lunch” - Concert 4

Lee Memphis King

intimate rapport with each other and the audience. They say that it’s a different experience to working with the bigger band, but just as enjoyable and gives the music ‘breathing space’.

Tickets £24.00 (concessions £22.50)

One Night Of Elvis Lee Memphis King Fri 11 September 7.30pm There are Elvis tributes..... and then there’s Lee Memphis King.

In this brand new show for 2015, Europe’s most successful Elvis Presley tribute artist - Lee Memphis King, presents the ultimate tribute to The King celebrating the entire career of the musical legend. This spectacular show begins with an authentic recreation of the groundbreaking ’68 comeback special. The second half culminates in a rousing expo of Elvis’s years performing in Vegas.

Lee brings the majesty of the voice and the electrifying power of Elvis’s performance back to life. Accompanied throughout by his world class orchestra and backing singers that breathe the life into the music of a legend. The show also features large screen

52 | September 2015

projection, making it the biggest Elvis show to tour UK theatres.

Over the last 10 years as Lee has toured his ‘One Night of Elvis’ theatre production he has picked up numerous accolades and has headlined and sold out some of the most prestigious venues across the UK and Europe.

To any fan of Elvis this show is the only way to enjoy the music of the greatest, most celebrated artist the world has known.

Prepare to be enthralled by this amazing musical journey and spend one night with Elvis.

Tickets £20.00

The Basil Brush Show Sun 13 September 11.00am And 2.30pm Starring Basil Brush and Mr Stephen Basil Brush is a star with an outstanding ability to entertain and make people of all ages laugh and smile. He’s cheeky, irreverent, charming, naughty, quick-witted, scheming and foxy, but at the same time he’s kind, caring and affectionate.

Basil has celebrated over 50 years in entertainment and The Basil Brush Show on BBC TV

has been seen by millions of viewers all over the globe from 1968 through to today. The show was BAFTA nominated and voted best comedy show on TV. Now, Britain’s most loveable fox is back on the road along with his TV chum Mr Stephen (aka Chris Pizzey). Together they will take you on a journey of laughs, storytelling and song in a brand new specially written ‘live’ stage show packed with fun and excitement.

Come and join in the mayhem, along with Mr Stephen who is continually interrupted by naughty uncontrollable Basil!!

A show for all the family and you’ll also be able to meet Basil and Mr Stephen after the show.

So in Basil’s words..”Boom Boom!! “ Meet Basil and Mr Stephen after the show!

Tickets £14.00 (£12.00 concessions)

Norwich Jazz Club Mon 14 September 8pm In The Redwell Bar Norwich Jazz Club has been established in the city as a place to hear great live jazz every Tuesday night since 1989.

Our programme continues to

Wed 16 September 1:15pm Maddermarket Redwell Bar From 12:30 Chamber Orchestra Anglia Lunchtime Concert Series 2015 “A Bite of Bach for Lunch” Bach Complete Works for Solo Cello and Violin Concert 4 Violin sonata No. 1 & Cello Suite No. 4 Performed at St. John the Baptist Church, Maddermarket, Norwich (next to the Theatre) A rare opportunity to hear the complete unaccompanied works

by Bach performed by violinist Simon Smith (Artistic Director of Chamber Orchestra Anglia) and Katherine Jenkinson (Chamber Orchestra Anglia Principal Cellist).

Enjoy a light lunch then stroll up to the beautiful and atmospheric Church of St. John the Baptist.

Concert 5 is will be performed on 7th October at 1.15pm Violin Sonata No. 2 Cello Suite No. 3 Tickets include a light lunch at 12.30pm at the Redwell Maddermarket Bar at the Theatre.

Look out for other concerts on the 9th and 16th September, 7th and 14th October.

Tickets £9.00 (including light lunch at 12.30pm)

The Norfolk Arts Awards 2015 Sat 19 September 7.00pm Arrival, 7.30pm Event Starts Welcome to the Norfolk Arts Awards 2015, a celebration of the rich creative talent that exists in the beautiful county of Norfolk.

From artists, writers, musicians and actors such as John Sell

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FINEARTS Cotman, Amelia Opie, Sir Malcolm Arnold and Sir John Mills, to contemporaries such as Colin Self, Philip Pullman, Beth Orton and Matt Smith, Norfolk has always provided inspiration for creativity.

Join us as we roll out the red carpet at the Maddermarket Theatre to celebrate the county’s many artists, performers, writers, venues and festivals.

With sixteen awards up for grabs, it promises to be a glittering evening of celebration.

There will be a glass of bubbly on arrival and canapés in the interval made by The Library Restaurant. The event finishes at around 10.45pm, but join us afterwards in the Maddermarket Theatre’s Redwell Bar with Norwich Jazz Club until 1am.

An evening to remember!

Tickets £15.00 (includes glass of bubbly, canapes and after event jazz)

The NHS Acute Stroke Unit Charity Fundraiser Sun 20 September 7.30pm Join us in the Theatre’s Redwell Bar for a glass of fizz and some of the region’s finest cabaret performers. Bid for incredible items and experiences in our auction. Try your luck with the raffle, and dance the night away to some fantastic live music!

All proceeds from the event

will go to the Acute Stroke Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Event takes place in the Redwell Maddermarket Bar and Gallery.

Tickets £15.00

The Deep Blue Sea

By Terence Rattigan Thu 24 Sep - Sat 03 Oct 7.30pm/2.30pm Matinees On 26th September And 3rd October Directed by Pip Sessions. ‘…when you’re between any kind of devil and the deep blue sea, the deep blue sea sometimes looks very inviting.’

Terence Rattigan’s moving portrait of forbidden love and its destructive power in postwar London. Hester abandons the security and respectability of her marriage to High Court judge, Sir William Collyer, for a passionate affair with the reckless Freddie Page, former RAF pilot and hero of the Second World War. However, Freddie is unable to give her the emotional commitment she desires and over the course of a day, Hester contemplates, love, lust, loneliness and her life.

‘The Deep Blue Sea’ was critically acclaimed when it was first performed in 1952 with Peggy Ashcroft in the role of Hester and Kenneth More as Freddie. Emotionally revealing for

the time, it captured the austerity and devastation of the early postwar years and the desperation of characters caught in a restrictive society. However, the play is ultimately about love and the complexity of the human heart and it therefore continues to have resonance today.

Often cited as Rattigan’s finest work ‘The Deep Blue Sea’ is recognised as an example of a ‘well-crafted’ play; the action takes place in a single setting, through the course of one day.

Tickets £8 - £12

Bellydance Classes Thu 24 September 6pm 7pm In this term you will learn the essence of Baladi dancing. This is an earthy and powerful dance where the body moves and the head stays still. There is limited foot work and the full focus is on the hips, chest, and arms.

You will learn how to isolate these parts of your body and move them independently whilst relaxing the rest of the body.

September 24th - December 10th (no classes 22nd October or 3rd December).

Classes take place in the Emmerson Studio at the Maddermarket Theatre.

Suitable for beginners to bellydance, and dancers who want to develop their style.

Tickets £50.00 for ten classes

Vintage And Retro Sale Rail Fri 25 September 1-5:30pm Tickets FOC

Cardboard Fox

The Deep Blue Sea By Terence Rattigan

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Sun 27 September 7.30pm Supported by Tin Heart Troubadours.

A very special performance from acoustic folk quartet Cardboard Fox. They have roots in bluegrass but their collective influences reach much further and it shows in their music.

The line-up includes Laura and Charlotte Carrivick better known as acclaimed duo The Carrivick Sisters.

Cardboard Fox are hard to categorise. All four musicians

have roots in bluegrass music but their collective influences reach much further and this shows in their music. Formed in late 2013, the band have known each other for much longer but have been waiting for the right opportunity to make it work. All that was needed was for everyone to be in the right place and Joe’s moving from Norwich to Bath was the catalyst that allowed it to happen. This is a group of musicians who are very, very excited about what this line up can create and that’s what makes this acoustic quartet so special.

Although very new the band are fast gaining a reputation for their energetic live show and slick playing of mandolin (Joe Tozer), guitar (Charlotte Carrivick), fiddle (Laura Carrivick) and double bass (John Breese) combined with rich harmony singing. With a focus on original writing and re-imagined folk songs taken from a very different perspective, this band is not to be missed. Cardboard Fox released their debut EP at the end of 2014.

This event takes place in the Emmerson Studio Theatre at the Maddermarket Theatre Tickets £11.75

Box Office Our box office is situated in the foyer area, opposite the coffee shop.

Box Office opening hours Normal Open Hours Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm.

On Show Days Monday to Saturday 10am - 7.30pm Sundays 5pm - 7.30pm Booking Tickets Tickets may be booked in person, by telephone or online.

Box Office: 01603 620917 office@maddermarket.org www.maddermarket.co.uk

September 2015 | 53

Cricket, Lovely Cricket!

S

omebody said that Cricket is the nearest we get to heaven on earth. It is a game that inspires devotion much greater, to my mind, than the more ubiquitous footie. As I sit here typing away whilst listening to Test Match Special on the BBC, at lunchtime of the third

Test, with the match genuinely in the balance, I wonder why exactly this might be. There is a strange noise coming from the radio and I suddenly realise that it is the Edgbaston crowd going ‘Rooo…’ as Jo Root smacks a ball to the boundary.

Sure, it’s the Ashes this year and we love nothing better than

to outplay the Aussies, but all forms of the game, and against anyone, seem to me to produce a sense of camaraderie among all cricket fans throughout the land even though we will never meet each other. Is it something to do with collective knowledge of a complex game, one that is possible of infinite subtleties?

I know that many consider it completely daft that you can play for five days and yet produce a draw, but that is part of the magic. Maybe it is because everyone - Aussies apart who have raised the art of sledging to new heights and love a scrap – plays it in a gentlemanly way and don’t ever get sent off the pitch

feature by:

Steve Browning note the natty The first English touring cricket team sailing to America in 1859:

54 | September 2015

shirts and bow ties

Writer @returningperson

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FINELIVING or commit fowls – not that you can see, anyway.

I remember when the BBC broadcast all five days of every Test. As a young student, I could quite easily become a couch potato for days on end. Prince Philip once remarked that you could not watch ALL of every match but I proved him wrong in those far off days. My Mum, sister and brother were very good about it all, making me tea and sarnies as I could not even bear to nip to the kitchen for myself in case I missed something.

There was something about the sound of bat on ball and the murmers of the crowd that set the world to rights. Famous people would go to the ground to gain solace from their sorrows – who can forget the occasion when John Major, having just had the tiny misfortune to lose the election, came along to the Test for the afternoon? There is a man, we said to ourselves, who has his priorities worked out properly. Famous people in other spheres, like Mick Jagger, Daniel Radcliffe and Brian May from Queen are loquacious and very knowledgeable about things like silly mid-off, bowling a maiden over - which my sister finds hilarious despite my attempts to explain it to her – square leg, Yorkers, lbw, sixes, leg byes and half volleys.

In a funny sort of a way, the decision to take the sport off mainstream TV, has helped its aura. This is because of the brilliance of Test Match Special - or TMS to us fans. People have this on all day and it is like a warm spiritual shower. It is refreshing as the commentators have none of the political correctness of other sports commentaries. Jonathan Agnew and the late lamented Richie Benaud, amongst many others, want their side to win. Fans from all over the world listen in.

Where else will you get a chap commuting from Paraguay, or another from Paris or even Shanghai, sending in their usually very witty comments?

One of the appeals of TMS is that much of the talk is not just about cricket. It can be about

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pigeons, or how to make a cake or the significance of rhubarb to the world economy and it is always funny. The commentary from TMS is also to be thanked for some of the most wonderful quotes or stories of all time.

WG Grace, possibly the finest batsman ever, was once bowled out but would not move, simply saying ‘People have come to see me, not the bowler’: he stayed.

I have also never forgotten the commentary of a match between England and the once-great West Indies. The fabulous West Indian bowler, Holding, was bowling at English batter, Willie.

TMS reported : ‘The bowler’s Holding, the batsman’s Willie’ (think about it). TMS was in meltdown and I don’t think I have ever enjoyed a sentence on radio so much. I still think about it sometimes, often in unsuitable places like the queue at Marks and Spencer. Embarrassing.

Mike Brearley is attributed with helping Sir Ian Botham in his amazing feats. But he was not much of a batsman. He said that, once he went out to bat, he hummed one of Mozart’s symphonies. ‘One of the shorter ones, surely’, said a colleague.

Ouch! This is not so bad tho’ as a tale of an early Aussie batsman who was seen as universally useless. Once, he went in to bat and a call came for him into the pavilion. It was from his wife. The guy taking the call said ‘he has just gone out to bat’. She replied: ‘I’ll hold’.

As I listen on this sunny afternoon, we win the Test with Bell chopping the winning shot to the boundary. At the end though, maybe it doesn’t matter who wins. Is it because your side has taken part in a process that is about life? By listening or watching you feel you have taken part, too. It is about chess but where everyone can take part. ‘Put that man here, put him there. What about the weather?

Will it swing? Who understands swing anyway? How are participants feeling? How is the crowd? What have the cricketing gods got in store for us today?

Who will be the hero and who the villain?’ It is gorgeous.

The great WG Grace: he didn’t take kindly to being given out

September 2015 | 55

FINELIVING

Spiritual Flow Mind Body Spirit

W

e are now fully prepared for the big Kings Lynn Festival at the Corn Exchange on Saturday 12th September. This will be our third consecutive year in Kings Lynn and it certainly plans to be another wonderful event. At the time of going to press we had 62 exhibitors offering a broad range of services, including healers, readers, massage, remedies, therapies, crystals, spiritual gifts and more.

As tradition dictates, during the day there will also be a number of workshop demonstrations to whet your spiritual appetite, including a Gong Bath with local Paul Gant, the ever popular mediumship demonstration with Dave Summerton, a fully interactive Pilate’s session with Sarah Broadway plus a not too energetic session of Zumba with Trisha Mills. You will have a workshop opportunity to understand the unique insight into the simple care using Bach flowers with Lisa Preston. For

56 | September 2015

the massage fans amongst us, we have got Rachel Nicolle demonstrating techniques used in Shiatsu. The inner guidance workshop with Richard Abbott will explore the subject of the Inner Guide and offer hints and tips on how to develop your relationship with him. Have you ever wondered why ‘Selenite crystal’ is now so important well Jackie Arnett will introduce you to Selenite and its very special spiritual properties and you will get to see how Jackie makes those very special wands out of a piece of raw Selenite crystal.

Claire Manion will offer her astrological workshop about Saturn’s astrological meaning and its transits, including the Saturn return. Claire will also give suggestions of how to work with its serious, responsible energies. Finally the ever bubbly Adrienne Green will guide you through a demonstration using ‘The Balance Procedure’. For the small one off entrance charge of £2.50 you can gain free access to all these demonstrations plus

the 62 exhibitors. Doors open from 9am till 5pm.

Fast approaching is next year’s comprehensive programme and already some of these events are near full with exhibitors. One or two of you may have noticed we are planning to present a Spiritual development weekend in West Lexham. If you are wondering where this is, wonder no more.

West Lexham can be found just off the A1065 road about four miles out of Swaffham. This very small village has a wonderfully unique, spiritual centre built around a renovated farm house that is nestled amongst 21 acres of protected land, teaming with wonderful wildlife, including floating water meadows, ancient trees, lakes and formal gardens.

This area also features the UK’s cleanest chalk stream, with the fresh water from the chalk aquifer providing a mineral rich water

that tastes delicious and I should not forget the renewable energy supplying the vast majority of the complex. So the opportunity to have a small group of likeminded people up for a long weekend, enjoying workshops and demonstrations couldn’t be overlooked. Join me, Shirley Cimelli and a handful of special guest presenters as we host this exclusive opportunity in the heart of Norfolk and at a very affordable fully inclusive investment.

Further information can be found on our website www. spiritualflowevents.com or by contacting steve@times8. com.

Steve Hudson 07932 012262

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FINELIVING

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September 2015 | 57

FINELIVING

Stephen Browning's new book Due for release January 2016. Pre-Order Now!

S

everal times over the past year we have featured stories about Norwich and Norfolk in the Great War. Well, the book of which they form a part now has a release date January 31 2016. It is available for pre-order online from Waterstones, Foyles, Blackwells and Amazon or direct from the publishers pen-and-sword.co.uk Any bookshop can also obtain it for you. It is priced at £9.99.

Based very largely on original material of the day, much of it never before released in book form, it is illustrated with many fascinating photographs of the

Fine City and its inhabitants who lived through, and vastly contributed to - Norwich was the centre for the production of the perfect marching boot, the Sopwith Camel aircraft and Caley’s Marching Chocolate amongst many other things - this pivotal time in history. The book also looks at everyday life year on year and how Norwich was changed by the demands of war.

It concludes with a ‘Great War Walk’ around the centre of the city taking in many of the places discussed in the book.

The cover shows men enthusiastically leaving for war by train from Thorpe Station in 1914.

A unique culinary experience Let Will Gowing and his team deliver a one-of-akind dining experience for all of your catering needs.

See website for more information

Brooke House, Ringland Road, Honingham, Norfolk Tel: 07787161148 Email: enquries.theprivatechefexperi@gmail.com

58 | September 2015

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Great Sleeptember offers in store with beds ranging from £99 up to £2000

Sound Sleep Bed Warehouse Mile Road - Winfarthing - IP22 2EZ - 01953 861177

Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday 10:00 - 4:00 Sunday 10:00 - 1:00

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A

t Sound Sleep we are committed to helping customers find the right bed or mattress for them. We have a huge selection of over 100 beds on our showroom floor to choose from as well as our team of mattress specialists who are on hand to give advice and support. We are mattress specialists rather than sales people, we do not high pressure sell or work on commission and as we are all family at Sound Sleep, you will always receive that personal touch.

Given the amount of time you spend in bed, it is important to spend a reasonable amount of time in store trying out new ones, it doesn’t need to be a rushed decision.

At Sound Sleep, we stock a variety of brands and different types of mattresses, for example pocket sprung, memory foam, latex and so on. Each manufacturer has different mattresses that offer different levels of support and comfort.

When mattress shopping, it is essential to ask for help. We are

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highly trained mattress specialists and are on hand to advise you, not to high pressure you in to buying something that may not be suitable and with over 100 beds to choose from in store that advice could really help.

Following are just a few quick tips to consider when bed shopping.

How do I know which one is right for me?

A mattress that is supportive and comfortable is important, but remember, your requirement for support will differ depending on your weight and build. The best bed for your back is not always a firm one. You need a bed that will provide the right support and comfort for you. When laying on your side, ideally your spine should be parallel to the mattress and your spine should not sag down or bow up. Also remember as we age, our support requirements change. A very firm mattress when you were 35 may not be so suitable when you’re 45, comfort is important too!

Trying them out Give your self plenty of time and wear loose clothing, this helps you turn and get in and out

of beds in store. Our Mattress Specialists will point you in the right direction. Try the advised mattresses for as long as possible to get a good ‘feel’ for them.

If you sleep together, shop together Always shop with your partner, the bed must be suitable for both of you. As it is inevitable one of you may have to compromise!

Size matters It is scientifically proven that couples sleep better in a bigger bed. The more space you have the freer you can move without disturbing your partner. This is also a good idea if one or both of you get hot in bed.

Sound Sleep work very closely with members of the National Bed Federation, and all of our mattresses and divans are sourced from Federation members. This means that the consumer is buying an approved bed which meets all the British Standard fire regulations, it contains brand new fillings which are clean and hygienic and that it’s honest – meaning what the label says it has inside, it has just that. The bed industry had quite

a bit of bad press last year, with the BBC purchasing mattresses online and fire testing them to find that they all failed ignition tests and that these mattresses were illegal despite them carrying the correct fire label. All NBF approved products are tested regularly to ensure they meet these strict standards, so you can be confident your bed is safe when purchasing at Sound Sleep.

Now has never been a better time to buy a new bed from Sound Sleep, with our Sleeptember sale on right now!

For more help and advice, visit our in store Mattress Specialists who can talk you through all the pros and cons of various mattresses. We also pride ourselves on having the most up to date mattress technology (as well as the old fashioned technology too!).

Sleep has never felt so good!!

September 2015 | 59

The Style Show Our nominated unsung hero this month is Jane Crockett, Secretary of Keeping Abreast Norwich, who was chosen by Tracy Burlingham, Keeping Abreast’s National Admin and Development Assistant, for her constant support and dedication to the Keeping Abreast Charity.

A

s Secretary, Jane organises and attends many meetings, events and support groups. Jane is a key figure in providing advice and support at these groups, including the Outreach Groups, in hospital clinic sessions, as well as the Keeping Abreast Support Groups.

Jane was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2009 and underwent a full mastectomy with reconstruction at the same time. Jane’s experience has been invaluable in helping others going through similar experiences.

In addition, Jane has turned her hand to modelling on the catwalk at the Keeping Abreast Fashion shows and can be seen again at The Style Show on 1st October 2015, raising funds for the Charity during Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Jane’s pampering day started at The Gallery Haircutters where Jane decided to ‘go for it’ and have a whole new look! Her hair colour was enriched with

60 | September 2015

subtle streaks and a rich brown tone to complement her natural colouring. It was then cut into a striking shorter length which really suited her fantastic, thick hair!

Then it was on to The Style Show’s Style Studio where Jane had a full colour consultation and body styling, followed by complete makeup to compliment her colouring. Next it was a visit upstairs to The Style Lounge where the Style Show team

feature by:

Chrissi Rix Style Guru @TheStyleShowUK

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FINEFASHION

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September 2015 | 61

FINEFASHION selected outfits to suit her deep colouring and body line.

Jane will be back in action on the Catwalk at Keeping Abreast’s ‘The Style Show’, taking place on 1st October 2015, to celebrate the launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many of the Keeping Abreast team will be modelling on the evening, as The Style Show demonstrates how each lady should dress for her particular colours, shape and style!

The Style Show is at the Holiday Inn, Norwich North and starts at 7pm for 7.30pm.

The evening is one not to be missed! The Style Show will be presenting their unique show and bringing their fantastic collection of clothing and jewellery along to purchase, plus there will be many beauty, style, hair and skin experts there. The Gallery

62 | September 2015

Haircutters, Bare Minerals from John Lewis, Bravissimo and U & Your Skin will all be there! With great raffles prizes and a surprise tombola the evening will raise awareness for the charity as well as funds, whilst everyone has a fun evening!

Everyone attending will receive a styling & shopping voucher worth £90 from The Style Show.

For tickets visit www. styleshow.co.uk or contact Keeping Abreast on 01603 667431 . Early Bird tickets are available until 13th September, 2015. All ticket proceeds with go towards the Keeping Abreast Charity.

For more information contact enquiries@styleshow.co.uk or call 07487 796853

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FINEFASHION The Style Show The Style Show co-founder Chrissi Rix, explained the unique concept of the show was developed to demonstrate to women a different way to shop and to bring out the best in themselves, without the costly expense of a personal style consultation. The unique show provides something different in the fashion landscape of Norfolk, offering women information to last a lifetime and a thoroughly entertaining and inspirational night!

The Style Show also has a Style Studio on City Road in Norwich, where women attending the show may have a follow up, free one to one style consultation and a visit to the Style Lounge where outfits are selected perfectly for them.

They can experiment, try on items and purchase clothing and accessories if desired. There is free parking right outside The Studio.

Once ladies have visited once they can come along for private shopping whenever they wish.

Of paramount importance to The Style Show is the need to ensure women feel good about themselves, empowered, inspired and confident. Chrissi says, ‘We all know how we feel when we think we look great. It can make us feel fabulous and so much more confident. When we feel more confident we are more inclined to try new things, take on new challenges and tackle the things in our lives we would like to achieve. It can be liberating and so very uplifting.

Contact Chrissi on 07487 796853 for more information or join them on Facebook

Keeping Abreast Keeping Abreast was first formed in 2007 by two patients, Beverley Birritteri and Anna Beckingham with breast reconstruction nurse specialist Ruth Harcourt, after realising there was a huge need to support women considering or undergoing breast reconstruction after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Since then the charity has gone from strength to

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strength and now has groups across the country.

The Charity is passionate about being able to offer women both advice and choice regarding their reconstruction and there is a lot of emphasis on allowing women to feel like they have regained their femininity.

The Gallery Haircutters The Gallery Haircutters is situated on Waterloo Road

in Norwich and has been established for over 20 years.

They have built a strong reputation locally and nationally, winning numerous awards along the way. Their association with Keeping Abreast has been a great partnership from the beginning and they are proud of how the organisation has grown.

The salon constantly strives to deliver the highest standard of service and skill and has two colour specialists and a talented

team of creative stylists. They will be available on The Style Show evening to offer hair colour and style consultations to those attending, so if you have ever wondered what hair style should suit your face or body shape, or what would be the best hair shade to choose, then look no further!

Visit www. galleryhaircutters.com and join them on facebook September 2015 | 63

"If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you're not sure you can do it, say yes then learn how to do it later"

What is Residual Income?

What is Residual Income and how does it work?

You have probably heard the expression that “the rich get richer while the poor get poorer.”

It’s often used to explain the unfairness when it comes to money.

However I don’t think this is unfair at all. The reason it happens is because the rich focus on a completely different way of earning money. There are thousands of stories about poor people who accumulated great riches and this choice is available to all of us.

Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Oprah were not born into riches.

Yet over their lifetimes they’ve amassed huge personal fortunes.

This is because they understand and use the power of leverage through residual income.

What Is Active Income?

Active income comes as a direct result of our efforts. This is when we work for one hour and get paid a certain amount 64 | September 2015

for that hours work. This can be seen in wages, salaries, and selfemployed service providers like lawyers or doctors.

There are many people who get paid vast amounts of money to become the CEO of a company, play professional sports, or star in a movie. Earning a high active income is often a lot of hard work and requires a dedication beyond most of us. It’s also limited because no matter how much money you get paid you still need to show up to work to earn your money.

What Is Residual (Or Passive) Income?

Residual income is when you continue to get paid after the work is done. This includes royalties from books, movies, or songs and also income that comes from property or business investments where you don’t actually have to be present to earn it. For example, Bill Gates is still making a residual income from Microsoft even though he isn’t working there anymore.

Residual income comes from building an asset that continues to pay you after the work has been done. A book, movie or song is an asset to the people earning royalties from it. A house is an asset to the landlord being paid rent and a business is an asset to the business owner who does not need to be involved in the day-to-day activities anymore.

The Passive Income Myth Many people talk about passive income and create the impression that you never have to do anything to keep that income

going. The truth is that you will normally have to keep your eye on things if you want it to run smoothly. For example Richard Branson doesn’t run any of the 400+ companies he started but he goes over the numbers each day to make sure they’re performing well and calls the CEO if there are any problems.

There is also an idea that we should work to build a passive income asset and then sit on the beach relaxing for the rest of our lives. The truth is that most people would get extremely bored with this scenario and will www.finecity.co.uk

be eager to find something to do.

That’s why the world’s billionaires continue to work… they love what they do and it stopped being about the money a long time ago.

How To Build Residual Or Passive Income The key idea here is leverage.

You must be able to leverage other people’s time or other people’s money in order to create a residual income.

Richard Branson can run 400+ companies because he isn’t actually running any of them at www.finecity.co.uk

all. His CEOs are.

To create residual income, you need to create something that people will continue to buy on a regular basis long after you’ve created it. Utilities is a prime example of this as people will continue to pay for Gas, Electric, Phones and Broadband month after month after month. A business needs to have products that are sold over and over again rather than trading the business owner’s time for money.

The First Steps To Creating Residual Income

The first thing is to be aware of how you work for active or residual income. Then you want to decide a path that transitions from active to residual income over time. It’s hard to start a new business and create residual income tomorrow so you have to have some patience.

As you make more residual income you can start to scale back the hours you put into active income. This will mean your residual income will grow even faster once you pay it more attention.

As Jim Rohn was famous for

saying: “I’m working full-time on my job and part time on my fortune.

But it won’t be long before I’m working full-time on my fortune.

Can you imagine what my life will look like?”

For more information on Residual Income: www.

AskMeHow.co.uk or Call / Text me: 07802 690589 September 2015 | 65

Tea for RNIB There’s nothing quite like a good cup of tea Especially if it raises money for a really good cause!

That’s why we’re inviting you to host a Tea for RNIB party this summer. Join hundreds of people across the UK raising money to support blind and partially sighted people.

Call 0845 345 0054 and we’ll

send you everything you need to get your Tea for RNIB party started. You just need to invite your friends to your house, garden, street or anywhere else you fancy.

There’s a serious side to the party. Did you know that in the next 15 minutes, someone in the

Trusted by local families since 1925 George Bush 93 Oak Street 01603 764157 St Stephens Square 01603 625495 321c Aylsham Road

UK will be told: “You are losing your sight”? But right now, we can only reach one in three of the people who need our help the most. Your support can help more blind and partially sighted people to face the future with confidence.

You could support us by: • Asking guests to donate for a slice of cake and a cup of tea • Selling raffle tickets for donated prizes • Asking for donations to guess the number of

•

sweets in a jar Selling home crafts or yummy delights

Remember, it’s easy and fun to run a Tea for RNIB party. There’s loads more ideas in our free party pack, just call 0845 345 0054 or visit www.rnib.org.uk/tea-rnib to order yours today. We’ll also then be able to put you in touch with Hayley, your local fundraiser who will be able to answer all your questions and help in any way she can.

Help at

the touch of a

button

01603 483060

66 | September 2015

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Priory Insurance Brokers LTD A look at Buy to Lets.....

Making sure you have adequate Landlords Insurance is essential, as a buy to let property is a substantial investment.

Priory Insurance Brokers specialise in arranging insurance cover for all types of property from Blocks of Flats to standard Private Dwelling Houses.

We deal with many leading UK Insurers and Lloyds Underwriters to provide the best possible quotation and cover for our clients, regardless of the risk.

Being totally independent means we are not tied to a single provider and this allows us access to a range of insurance policies from our panel of carefully selected Insurers.

Our trained and experienced staff members are able to find the most suitable policy for your

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specific requirements.

In addition to cover on Buildings, policies can be extended to include: • Property Owners Liability • Loss of Rent cover following an insured Peril • Accidental Damage Cover • Cover for Landlords Contents With no Call Centres, you can be assured of a personal and friendly approach by our fully trained staff. We will help you to find the best policy at the best price for your individual needs.

For more information or advice, please feel free to call in to our Wymondham Office.

September 2015 | 67

Twitter is not about birds.

An explanation of the social networking phenomenon.

When I first heard about the then new social networking phenomenon ‘twitter’ a few years back, the first hurdle I had to overcome was the name. Twitter?

So do you twitter people? No you tweet them. Of course, I thought although the whole thing sounded completely confusing.

I decided to join up anyway and gave myself a fancy twitter name ‘Real Marie Blake’ – well if celebrities can, why can’t I? I then wrote a few words about myself on my bio…. Note to self must be witty and intelligent (Although I think I seriously failed to be either of those things) I was on the twittering and tweeting world. Yes, I was a little white egg with a blue back ground….

Mainly because I had no idea how to change my profile picture let alone make a ‘tweet.’ In time I started getting the hang of it and even started using ‘hashtags.’

So what is twitter, tweeting and hashtags? Twitter actually 68 | September 2015

has nothing to do with birds, not at all. In short it’s a social media platform to promote you, your business, connect with other people who share the same interests all over the world or stalk every member of the Kardashian family… which I of course never do. (much). If you make a tweet (or in facebook language write a status) on twitter everyone can see it, for example – ‘I really love chocolate biscuits.’ Your followers would read but seldom people would care. HOWEVER if you tweet ‘I really love chocolate biscuits’ followed by a hashtag #biscuits #chocolate etc etc ….. Other people would ‘connect with you and potentially ‘follow’ you.

Before you call the police, let’s talk about following. ‘Following’ is not literally people walking around behind you in life, which is different, and very wrong.

Following on twitter is essentially a person who is interested in

what you have to say, digitally book marking you so they can see your updates. One of the main pros of twitter is the amount of celebrities on there, when you are as devoted to pop culture as I am it becomes very exciting, looking at twitter rows between celebrities and also the random tweets in rage before their agent gets the chance to advise them against it! Hash tags are what connect you to all the other people on twitter. If I tweet #LittleBottleOfPinkShampoo it would connect me to everyone tweeting about that. If a hash tag gets a lot of tweets it then starts to ‘trend.’ The biggest ‘trend’ so far this year was #AlwaysInOurHeartsZayneMalik when the horrendous, world shaking news broke that Zayn had in fact called it a day and left one direction. The tweets of heart break were full of emotion (not to mention a bit of theatrics) but what connected all these tweets was the beautiful and heartfelt hashtag #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMailk *sad face*…..sniff.

So that’s the basics of twitter

as well as the celebrity and social side of it, many employers post jobs there now so it’s always worth a look, don’t forget if you do approach a potential employer on there make sure your twitter page is appropriate, i.e no drunken pictures of you kissing your life size cardboard cutout of Zayn from One Direction #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik.

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Hearing Care Centre How does your untreated hearing loss affect your family and friends?

Untreated hearing loss does not simply affect the sufferer – it also impacts upon their family and friends. If you have a hearing loss and haven’t yet sought help, it’s important to be aware of the potential effects of your hearing loss on others so that you can maintain relationships and ensure frustrations don’t grow into larger issues.

Many people are aware that their hearing has deteriorated but are reluctant to seek help.

Perhaps they don’t want to acknowledge the problem, are embarrassed by what they see as a weakness, or believe that they can “get by” without using a hearing aid. And unfortunately too many wait years and in some cases the strain on family and friends can become untenable.

Below, I’ve outlined how untreated hearing loss can affect important relationships in your life…

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Partners People with hearing loss often feel isolated and frustrated, and it’s not uncommon for their partners to echo these feelings.

The spouses of people with hearing loss frequently report that a hindered ability to communicate has left them feeling lonely. This situation is exacerbated if the partner with hearing loss begins to lose confidence and withdraws from others.

Hearing loss also affects practical aspects of a relationship. Partners of people with hearing loss often grow tired of being asked to repeat themselves or of being misunderstood or not heard at all. When communication breaks down, small annoyances and frustrations can build up over time and create bigger problems.

Leaving hearing loss untreated also increases the risk of a dependency developing in the

relationship, where the hearing partner is relied upon for tasks and communication. This uneven balance of responsibility can eventually cause resentment on both sides.

Adult Children The adult children of people with hearing loss can also feel frustrated by their mother’s or father’s untreated condition.

They might find it hard to stay in touch with their parent, as communicating on the phone can be difficult for people with untreated hearing loss. Their frustration may be increased if their parent ignores suggestions they seek help.

Grandchildren Leaving hearing loss untreated can have significant effects on a sufferer’s relationships with their grandchildren.

Children generally have higher pitched voices, making it even harder for people who are hard of hearing to understand them.

Very young children are unable to understand the concept of hearing loss, and are therefore

less likely to make a special effort to communicate. This can unfortunately prevent a close relationship developing between grandparent and grandchild.

Friends Socialising in groups can be overwhelming and isolating for people who are hard of hearing.

Even talking one-on-one can be hard. Even though they might have the best of intentions, friends may not understand how best to communicate with someone with hearing loss.

This may cause awkwardness, disconnection and change the dynamic of the friendship.

Take Action!

If you are living with untreated hearing loss, don’t wait any longer to seek help. Hearing aids can make your life a lot easier and they will go a long way towards preserving your relationships with the people you love most.

September 2015 | 69

Sloe Lane Life in the sloe lane The nights are drawing in, the leaves are starting to fall and Santa will be putting his sleigh in for its annual service. Before you know it, the festive season will be upon us once again. Time to crack out the sloe gin.

The Norfolk Sloe Company, a family-run home business in Fakenham is run by Patrick and Sarah Saunders. Sarah explains: “It all began in the summer of 2011 when Patrick and I decided to start our own business to topup our pensions. We thought it would be an interesting and inspirational process for our children to experience too. For years we had made sloe gin for friends and family at Christmas so making a few extra bottles to sell seemed like a good idea.”

In the first year of production, they made 300 bottles of sloe gin, selling out within weeks.

Sarah continues: “The whole family quickly got involved. Our daughter Leanne designed the company logo using the legendary Black Shuck – the

70 | September 2015

ghostly black dog said to once roam the coastline of East Anglia.

Nicola looked at a break-even analysis to ensure the product could be profitable and William used his ICT skills to build a website. Once the first batch was made family members Keith and Zoe got involved by turning the gin soaked sloes into delicious chocolate truffles.”

The company has enjoyed steady sales over the years, increasing annual production to 2,000 bottles and doubling their turnover each year. More recently, they have been honoured in a national awards scheme.

Production continues to increase to meet the growing demand, and the family is now looking to turn the business into a full-time venture, extending the product range to include flavoured vodkas, brandies, ports and liqueurs. On the horizon is the launch of Black Shuck Gin, a premium gin at 43% abv which uses Norfolk Inspired botanicals.

This new direction opens up

opportunities for exploring a wider customer base including the export market.

Although they are still a small business they are already very keen to give something back to the community. In July they sponsored the new kit for a local netball club, who subsequently renamed themselves The Norfolk Sloes. In August they ran a cocktail and liqueur tasting event on behalf of Wells Carnival with all proceeds going to the carnival funds.

Patrick acknowledges making and selling alcohol is a complex process and there are many legal and practical hurdles to overcome. “We have been very fortunate and have received fantastic support and advice from friends, family, other established small businesses and organisations such as the New Anglia Growth Hub, who offer free business support.”

Business Growth Adviser, Bev

Rayner, has put the company in touch with a wine merchant to help create new supply chains.

In addition, the company is looking to make an application for a B.E.S.T grant (Business Enterprise & Start-up) from North Norfolk District Council to help with marketing and purchasing equipment to support long term growth.

Bev said: “It has been a real pleasure to work with The Norfolk Sloe Company, especially to see the whole family working together to create unique local products for people to enjoy.”

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JTD 14111 Nicholsons Advert.qxp_Layout 1 07/01/2015 13:06 Page 1

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If you are interested in discussing a Will or any other legal matter contact Ann-Marie Matthews on 01603 478567 or email amatthews@nicholsonslaw.com

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Planning for a secure future: Lasting Powers of Attorney Solicitor Ann-Marie Matthews explains how to prepare for the future if you are unable to make your own decisions.

Because we are all living longer, more and more people are likely to become physically or mentally dependent on others; it is forecast that more than a million people in the UK by 2025 will suffer from dementia, but there are many other causes which can affect a person’s ability to make their own decisions, for example, accidents, strokes, brain injuries and Parkinson’s.

Finding yourself in this position would make it virtually impossible to manage your finances, health and care unless you could appoint someone to act on your behalf.

This is where a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) comes in; this is a legal document that allows someone else to run the financial affairs of another person with

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their permission, or to take decisions about the health and welfare of that other person if they no longer have the capacity to do so themselves.

Putting one in place puts you firmly in control of your affairs as you decide exactly how much authority your ‘Attorney’ would have and whether you want to impose any restrictions. There are safeguards to make sure that your wishes are carried out and the person acting on your behalf recognises the seriousness of their responsibility.

No one wants to lose their independence and rely on others to look after them but it makes sense to put one of these documents in place so someone you trust can make decisions

Ann-Marie Matthews, Partner & Head of Private Client Department, Nicholsons Solicitors

on your behalf should you ever face this type of situation. They are straight forward to arrange and cost less than most people might think.

There are two types of LPA: one referred to as a property and financial affairs LPA which allows your Attorney the power to deal with buying and selling your property, your bills, bank accounts and investments. The

other is known as a personal welfare LPA and covers decisions about health and care even where someone might live if they are unable to decide for themselves.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this article or would like to know about lasting Powers of Attorney for you or a loved one contact Ann-Marie Matthews on 01603 478567 or email amatthews@nicholsonslaw.com

September 2015 | 71

Posh Plants

stand up to wind and perform year after year on minimal care!

Agapanthus and olive, essential plants for summer!

The summer has blessed us with a mixture of weather this year.

However, summer watering is essential in the garden, especially for plants and trees grown in pots. The roots will soon dry out unless kept damp, so this means regular watering, preferably with soft rain water from a water butt.

Those who know me will laugh, sometimes I struggle with watering, weeding and housework!

Running a small nursery can be a bit like painting the Forth bridge…no sooner do you get on top of the watering, you look around and a fresh crop of weeds have appeared out of nowhere! Leave them unattended for more than a few days and they’ve developed thick roots like tentacles, anchoring themselves deep in the Seven Acres soil!

So, if anyone fancies a workout with the weeds, come over!

I am passionate about plants, I love them all, but there are some for which I’m developing a deep respect…

Agapanthus and olives are up there in my top five! Why? Read on…

Agapanthus…

How is it not possible to love such a beautiful summer flowering plant? The dormant state is an ugly cluster of grey roots from which emerge in spring fresh green leaves, the wonderful fat buds appear and open in early summer.

The flowers of all shades of blue and white are long lasting and held above the plant on long arching stems. It is a tough plant, it can survive dry spells an can

Olive…

There’s something so gentle and calming about the olive. It’s not just the historical connotation, the symbol of peace etc., no, for me the subtle soft blue-grey colour, the sheer winter hardiness and the beauty of the craggy trunk make this a very firm favourite in my garden!

Partner these two and it’s a marriage made in heaven!

This mature olive I used in a show garden at Sandringham a few years ago. It earned me a Gold award and Best in Show and with some pots of agapanthus now takes pride of place in my garden. Birds nest in the trunk each year and although it takes the full force of the wind it has never looked healthier.

Design…topiary…hire… nursery

Sue Huckle 07703 347014 email:sue@poshplants.com www.poshplants.com Posh Plants @ Seven Acres Common Road East Tuddenham NR20 3NF

Posh Plants

topiary, plants, shrubs and trees to hire or buy

Sue Huckle is the inspiration behind many award winning gardens, offering a professional and creative approach to the art and science of garden design.

At Seven Acres Nursery we have a range of lovely plants and containers for sale, as well as our beautiful collection of large topiary plants available to hire for weddings, parties and your workplace!

07703 347014 email: sue@poshplants.com website: www.poshplants.com

Posh Plants, Seven Acres Nursery, Common Road, East Tuddenham, NR20 3NF

72 | September 2015

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dat the e v e Sa You are cordially invited to attend

THE STUNNING AUTUMN WEDDING FAIR Sunday 20th September 2015 10am – 4pm

THE FORUM

Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1TF Free Entry | 50 Fantastic Suppliers | Free Goody Bag | Plan your Perfect Day

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September 2015 | 73

Norfolk Charity Auction Donations Set To Raise Thousands For Local Charities Saturday 12th Sept 2015 through Saturday 26th Sept 2015 (Midnight) - 14 Day On-Line Auction – http://norfolkcharityauction.co.uk The On-line Grand Norfolk Charity Auction is being organised and promoted by Lord Russell Baker of Little Moulton who is looking to fundraise for the ‘Lord Baker Community Fund’ managed by The Norfolk Community Foundation.

The main aim of the Lord Baker Community Fund is: • to promote health and wellbeing; • tackle disadvantage; • support local solutions to meet local needs; • promote community cohesion; and • develop sustainable and supportive communities.

The charities supported within the fund for 2015 include:

74 | September 2015

• • • •

East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH); Star Throwers Cancer Care and Support Chapel Road School for Severely Disabled Children Norfolk Community Foundation

The Norfolk Community Foundation will create a Community Grants programme which will be advertised and local community groups will be invited to apply for grants up to £1,000.

The Grand Norfolk Charity Auction 2015 has some amazing donations this year and some great support within the community from local companies, individuals and from the World of Sport. Donations to ‘bid’ for and ‘win’ include; 4 x

Norwich City Premiership Home tickets, signed shirts and ball; A signed book by Stephen Fry; A signed ‘crafty cockney’ red shirt personally donation to Lord Baker by Eric Bristow MBE; A new Audi A1 car donated by Audi Bury St Edmunds; Lady Alhena of London, a luxury motor yacht available for a 3 day charter in Mallorca, Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain; The Blades are offering a prize for 4 guests to enjoy ‘A Day with The Blades’, the world’s only licensed formation aerobatic airline. Fly and hover a helicopter, race head-to-head on our F1 simulators, be part of a close-formation aerobatic sortie and watch The Blades thrilling display; a host of signed memorabilia; Family days out is some of Norfolk’s most enjoyable locations; Holidays in Norfolk and overseas; Amazing art donations from Fabian Perez, Henderson Cisz and Robin Elvin; A top quality Viessmann gas condensing combi boiler, plus flue and controller, with installation by heating specialists Gasway, of Norwich; James Bay guest tickets for the sold out O2 Brixton concert in October; Private Ascot Box For 12 People, A VIP Table for 10 People at the

Norwich Charity Darts Masters 2016 and loads more besides.

If fact, more prizes are being added on a daily basis, so please revisit the auction web site for the latest updates.

Lord Baker said “The support this year from local companies, individuals and sporting personalities has been exceptional; there is quite simply something for everyone this year, so please visit the auction site and enjoy what is on offer. I hope this year’s 14 day On-line Grand Norfolk Charity Auction provides huge enjoyment for everyone and at the same time raises the funds the supported charities need along with the awareness these charities deserve”.

Lord Baker added “Let us all help to Build A Better Norfolk”.

In addition, why not visit us outside the Forum in Norwich on Saturday 19th September or the Arc in Bury St Edmunds on Sunday 13th September, when the Audi A1 car will be on display for the day advertising the Grand Norfolk Charity Auction, or just to come along for a chat and learn more about the Lord Baker Community Fund and supported charities, and how to bid on the amazing donations available.

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