Issue 92 June 2015
Great places GREAT people GREAT arts GREAT LIVING
This Month
DISPATCH WRITER PETE GOODRUM INTERVIEWS
Susie Fowler-Watt Wymondham & Dereham
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Issue 92 Your community magazine
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Š Dispatch Magazine Disclaimer: No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate, but the Publisher can not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Whilst reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements the Publisher will not accept any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will, however, immediately investigate any written complaints. The Publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
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2015 June | 03
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WYMONDHAM New Mayor of Wymondham Wymondham Councillor Joe Mooney, of Northfield Ward has been elected the new Mayor of Wymondham He was first elected to the town council in 1995 and he was previously Mayor of the town for the years 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2006/2007. He is also currently a member of South Norfolk Council and Norfolk County Council. Looking forward to the year ahead I hope that the council can make good progress on a number of matters. In particular I hope that real progress can be made on a number of things such as: 1. Finalise the lease agreement with the football club. 2. Install the recently purchased play equipment at Ketts Park. 3. Resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the installation of the play equipment at the KHM.
4. Working in Partnership with South Norfolk Council and under the Brighter Wymondham badge we will do all we can to keep our town clean and tidy. 5. Continue to support the town’s voluntary groups through our grants budget. 6. Support the principles behind South Norfolk Councils Market Towns initiative. 7. Continue to maintain our open spaces in good order such as our play areas, our nature reserve at Tolls Meadow and our burial grounds. 8. We should always be willing to consider supporting new projects such as the Christmas lights project. 9. Keep the council tax down. 10. In the interests of openness and transparency we will look at
ways on how to improve on the way we currently communicate with our residents. In addition to the above I hope that the council will continue to support our tourist information centre, The Music Festival, our Farmers Market and local events. Partnership will be a key word, as I believe that by working in Partnership with other local authorities and local organisations is the best way forward to achieve some of the objectives outlined above. Joe said “I consider it a great honour and a privilege to be elected Mayor of Wymondham.
team of Councillors who I know are determined to work as a team for the benefit of the town and I find that very encouraging. I am confident that by pulling together and by putting Wymondham first in everything we do we can achieve great things for our town and our community during out term in office”.
I promise to carry out my duties to the best of my ability during my term in office. We have a great
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2015 June | 05
WYMONDHAM East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) Quidenham hospice, which is run by local charity East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), is a ‘lifeline’ for the hundreds of families who rely on their services in caring for a life-threatened child. One such family is Claire Skingley from Southwold who benefits from their support in caring for her son Archie Jinks, who was born in December 2013. Archie was diagnosed with West Syndrome when he four months old. West Syndrome is the term used to describe a type of epilepsy which most typically starts in the first year of life, between four and eight months of age. Archie’s condition means he suffers from seizures, and after undergoing MRI scans and EEGs, he was diagnosed with Polymicrogyria; which means abnormalities of the brain. He also has reflux and global developmental delay. Claire and Archie began receiving care and support from EACH about two months after Archie was diagnosed.
Claire said: “Archie and I were spending a lot of time in hospital and the community nursing team from the James Paget Hospital spoke to me about Quidenham hospice. “EACH provided a lifeline for my son and I. Due to Archie’s low immune system when he was young, we were isolated and this was made worse by the fact I was unable to drive due to Archie’s seizures. Thanks to EACH we were able to receive invaluable help at home and this was put in place in a matter of days from discovering we were eligible to receive help.” One of the most valuable services EACH provides for Claire and Archie is the overnight breaks; which ensures Archie gets the care he needs while Claire gets a well deserved rest. Claire said: “We receive regular overnight stays at Quidenham.
This is a huge help to both Archie and I as he requires 24 hour care and it’s lovely to visit and have a rest knowing Archie is cared for. I always stay with Archie as it’s lovely to watch him have so much attention and enjoy himself. It’s a break for both of us and a way of creating magical memories.”
three en-suite bedrooms, leading into a private and peaceful lounge area where family members can sit, eat and relax when they need some quiet time. Hospice kitchen staff provide family members with meals throughout their stay, but there will also be facilities in the family suite to make simple meals and refreshments.
Quidenham hospice has dedicated family accommodation, which is cosy and welcoming, but it is limited due to size constraints. EACH needs a new hospice to meet the demand for their services in Norfolk. The charity has outgrown its current hospice in Quidenham which is a very old building over two storeys. Accessibility and flexibility within the building is restricted and there isn’t scope to expand.
Choice and flexibility is very important for families, so EACH works hard to accommodate these needs. Claire and Archie live in Suffolk, but due Archie’s healthcare needs and hospital appointments, Quidenham is their hospice of choice. As Claire explains: “It’s great that EACH offers families flexibility in the way they receive care. I live in Suffolk and access the Quidenham hospice in Norfolk. It’s been lovely to do this as Archie’s everyday care and appointments are from the James Paget and Norfolk and Norwich University University hospitals. I like the fact we’re nearest the hospitals that treat Archie regularly when staying at the hospice, as I feel more relaxed.”
The charity has planning permission to build a new hospice on a five acre site in the parish of Framingham Earl, five miles south of Norwich. The hospice will be called ‘the nook’ and in November last year the nook appeal was launched to raise the £10 million needed to make the project a reality. At the nook there will be improved facilities consisting of
Claire and Archie also benefit from support from the wellbeing team to help with worries or concerns about Archie’s health, occupational therapy and music
WYMONDHAM therapy. Quidenham hasn’t got a hydrotherapy pool. Sessions are offered at a pool elsewhere in the county, but these are limited and involve lots of travelling. The nook will have a hydrotherapy pool meaning greater access for families accessing EACH services in Norfolk. Claire said: “We are also potentially looking forward to completing a course of hydrotherapy with the hospice’s physiotherapist, and I’m very much looking forward to this as Archie loves being in the water. “All the EACH services are so beneficial and all help tremendously in their unique way. The staff are amazing and stay with Archie throughout the night, dealing with seizures when he wakes. I still like to know at the moment that I’m there for Archie, so the family room is perfect, and the care staff are great at keeping you informed with what happens. Knowing the staff will take care of Archie if he becomes unwell takes a huge pressure off during the night, so I can rest without worrying.” Like Claire and Archie, EACH is special to so many families, and with fundraising support for the nook appeal, even better
facilities can be provided for life-threatened children, young people and their families. There’s many way you can support the nook appeal from signing up to an EACH event, to hosting your own fundraising event, to volunteering your time. You could also sign up to the ‘Friends of the nook’ initiative. EACH is looking for 250 people to join the initiative who are willing to give £1,200 a year for three years to help them reach a target of £900,000 to pay for all or part of the family suite at the nook and future services at EACH. As a friend of the nook donors can give £1,200 once a year or £100 per month over a three year period by direct debit, or a oneoff payment of £3,600. To find out more visit: www.each. org.uk or contact Anna Goode, Norfolk Capital Appeal Coordinator on 01953 666773 or email anna.goode@each.org.uk
WYMONDHAM
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2015 June | 08
WYMONDHAM Wymondham Carnival After the resounding success of last year’s Wymondham-on-Sea event, the Wymondham Business Group have this week released details of Carnival 2015 plans. The huge town centre event which saw over 6,000 people line the town’s streets is to be held on Saturday 25th July. This year promises to be even bigger and more exciting spectacle as we get set for all the fun and frolics of Wymondhamon-the-farm. Tony Holden, Chair of the Events Committee announced “The team have been working away behind the scenes since the day after last year’s event. The buzz we all felt when it worked so well encouraged us to put on a bigger and better show in 2015” “Already some teaser posters are finding their way around the town, and the Carnival Day itself is just the culmination of a number of events that we will be running in 2015”
Mark Cole, a Wymondham High teacher who is organising the competition tells us “This year we are expecting an even greater number of entries. We want the widest possible range of talented local people to come and audition. This process provides a platform for those people who want to break into performing at any level on stage and we all have a great time watching them grow in confidence and improving at the live shows. It’s bigger and better for 2015” This year we’re also holding a separate special event to crown this year’s Carnival Queen. The event will be held on Friday 26th of June. Event details and an application form can be found on the Facebook page.
The auditions for Wymondham’s Got Talent are underway where local budding superstars are showcasing their talents.
For further details on the Carnival contact Tony Holden from JPs at tony@jpslunch.co.uk / www.jpslunch.co.uk
We’re really excited to announce that the prize fund has increased this year from £500 for the winning act to £700. Second prize is £200 and third place will win £100. To find out when the live shows are, look at the groups Carnival page at www.facebook. com/wymondhamcarnival for full details.
Groups and businesses wanting to join in the fun of the Parade, Fran Young at franyoung@talktalk.net General Carnival 2015 Publicity, Kevin Smith from KSD Associates Ltd at info@kadassociates.co.uk / www.ksdassociates.co.uk
The Carnival will kick off with a procession, followed by stage performances throughout the afternoon. For details about timings keep an eye on local press and our Facebook page.
Wymondham-on-the-farm STALLS • FOOD • RODEO • MUSIC For further information about the carnival, please visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/wymondhamcarnival Event sponsored by
GENERAL Sound Sleep Beds Buy British Beds this June Did you sleep well last night? Do you feel refreshed and ready to start the day? For most of us a third of our life is spent asleep, meaning the wear on our mattress over time is considerable, yet a staggering 25% of people wouldn’t consider changing their mattress – even after more than 10 years.* It is hardly surprising then that 58% of the population complain of waking feeling stiff and achy.* How do you know if you need to replace your bed? • Is your bed more than 7 years old? • Is it uncomfortable? Or when you sleep in someone else’s bed, does that feel better than your own? • Do you wake in the morning with a painful back or stiff limbs? • Can you feel the springs beneath the surface of the mattress? • Do you and your partner roll together? • Is your mattress just generally warn and discoloured? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then it could be time to invest in a new bed!
10 | June 2015
One of the keys to having a healthy and happy life is SLEEP! Sleep is required to allow our bodies to recover, help our brains work correctly and can even help you lose weight. The right environment is essential for a good nights sleep, your room should be dark, quiet and warm. Remember to turn off those mobile phones, vibrations and flashing lights can disturb your sleep. At Sound Sleep, we are mattress specialists. We have an extensive range of mattresses suitable for any budget. With a huge range of open coil, pocket sprung, traditional mattresses, eco memory, latex and memory foam, we are positive we have a mattress for you. All of our beds and mattresses are National Bed Federation approved and are all made in the UK. 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 highly trained mattress specialists and are on hand to advise you,
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GENERAL Kerry Butcher Accountancy Services There is lots going on in the world of tax and finance at the moment It’s June. Hopefully this means that it’s time for long summer evenings, cool drinks by the river in a lovely country pub and who knows maybe even a holiday! But remember if you run a business there is more to consider than just remembering your passport. Firstly – of course if you are an employee, you will be entitled to at least 5.6 weeks holiday per year pro rata. If you work the same hours each week or month– this is nice and easy to calculate. But – if you don’t have a contracted number of hours each week then your holiday entitlement will be based on an average of the hours you have worked in the period. So don’t miss out! Make sure you are getting the right amount of holiday! If you run a business and have staff – then you will already be familiar with the joys of getting your real time submissions filed. The gloves are off and HMRC are fining for late submissions so don’t get caught out if you get the chance of a week away. Make sure that there is someone completing the payroll for you and making those all important submissions before the deadline looms. And of course it goes without saying, don’t forget to pay over the PAYE that you owe by the 19th (22nd if paying online) by the following month. Of course you could save yourself the hassle and ask us here at KBA to complete your payroll for you – that way we will do our utmost to make sure that you don’t miss any deadlines. Now that the tax year is well under way, no doubt you have received your P60 if you are employed. But what about if you are lucky enough to receive 12 | June 2015
private health insurance? Or maybe a company car? If you receive benefits as well as your salary then you will be requiring a P11D. This form is completed by your employer (or their payroll provider!) and submitted to HMRC on your behalf. It tells the tax people the value of the benefits that you receive and usually this will result in a change of tax code to compensate for the additional benefits in kind that you are receiving. When you receive your P11D make sure that this is correct and most of all, if you receive a new tax coding from the tax office, make sure that you take a look at this and check it is accurate. Mistakes do happen and whilst you certainly don’t want to end up paying more tax than you should through your salary, it would be even worse if you found that actually you hadn’t paid enough and you have a nasty tax bill to settle at the end of the year.
or if you don’t fancy doing this – then of course we would be delighted to help you. Make sure that you are being reimbursed for all of your expenses and don’t forget to claim that additional amount on your tax code if you have to launder your own uniform! Before we can say “Wimbledon” it will be that fun tax credit time of year again – if you are self employed then why not get your books in early so that you can provide your actual figures first time this year. Wouldn’t it be great not to have the worry of whether you might have estimated your profits too high or too low –and don’t forget that Big Brother is now watching – HMRC have the details from employed earnings and bank and building societies at their fingertips, so make sure that you provide the right information straight away to avoid any nasty letters arriving on your doormat
whilst you are enjoying that well deserved holiday. So why not sit back, relax, enjoy a nice cool cocktail and let us do the worrying for you this summer. After all, if you have been paying on account, you may find that you have already paid enough tax for the year and there is money left over for a week of sun, sea and sangria. Of course if that is the case I am sure that you will want to take us with you – just to say thank you for all our hard work? We would love to come but sadly we need to stay in sunny Attleborough and file your real time summaries while you are sunning yourself on the beach. Don’t forget to bring us back a stick of rock though!
If you are unsure about your tax code, or your benefits then why not talk to us? This is just one of the many services we offer, it’s not all about tax returns really! Whilst I am on the subject of being employed – make sure that if you are using your own vehicle for company purposes that you are receiving the right amount of travel expenses. The HMRC recommended rate for mileage is 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter. Now whilst this might be the recommended rate, not all businesses pay this much. If your organisation pays you less than this amount, you can still claim tax relief on the full amount. So don’t miss out – make sure that you are getting all that you are entitled to, additional mileage can be claimed on a form P87 www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
Interview with..
GREAT people
DISPATCH WRITER PETE GOODRUM meets
Susie Fowler-Watt;
senior bbc broadcast journalist & presenter of look east
GREAT people
Susie Fowler-Watt Pete Goodrum meets Susie Fowler-Watt; Senior BBC Broadcast Journalist and presenter of Look East We’re in the offices of the BBC, in Norwich. Susie Fowler-Watt has met me in reception, and apologising for being late, needlessly, because she isn’t, she’s whisked me into a meeting room, where we instantly begin to talk. That ‘instantly’ is important, because Susie Fowler-Watt is, if I can choose one word at the outset to describe her, engaging. It would be easy to put that down to her job. She is after all on your screen, engaging you in the news most nights. But it’s more than that. It might be a gift that sits well with her work but she is naturally communicative, affable and, frankly, charming. Also, there’s none of that ‘she looks different when you see her in real life’ thing, so often bandied around about people in the public eye, and especially those who appear on television. Sitting across the table from me she is as immaculate as she is on screen, and every bit as poised. She will, during our conversation, refer to ‘what you see is what you get’, and she’ll mean it rather self deprecatingly. I say it as a compliment. None of this means that she lacks confidence. That’s a quality that she’s demonstrated many times in her life and career, and I’ll come back to it. But first, some background biography. Susie was born in Sussex, where her parents ran a school. He father had been made Head the term before she was born, and she grew up there. She was educated there too, initially, and was the only female pupil. I comment on the fact that some biography details of her refer to her having ‘very much enjoyed that’. She laughs, and points out that it’s not quite as saucy as it sounds. ‘We’re talking about me between the ages
of 7 and 10’ she says. ‘I had two brothers, and was always a bit of a tomboy. I didn’t play football or rugby, but I did play cricket. Frankly I didn’t really think about the situation much. You don’t over analyse things at that age, and it was all I knew. But, it is true to say that I loved being there. The realisation that it was an unusual situation only hit me when I went to an all girls school. It was a culture shock!’. She completed her ‘A’ Levels early and by the time she was sixteen she already had a place at Cambridge University, and was on a gap year in the USA. It was to prove a pivotal year. Her course at Cambridge was to be her route into medicine; the plan was to be a doctor. ‘ I changed my mind when I was in the states’, she explains. ‘I was at The Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, on a scholarship from The English Speaking Union. The school was fantastic, and with my place at university already agreed there was no pressure to perform. It was the time of my life’. There may not have been pressure to perform academically, but perform she did. In amongst studying American Literature and Drama she acted, and she was in a band. She’s seventeen, and in a band. In Amercia! I need to know more. ‘There were boys who played the instruments, but we saw it as a girl band. The girls sang, taking turns on the solos. I, unbelievably it seems now, got the job of singing Bob Marley’s ‘Stir it Up’.’ And America did stir it up. ‘I’d been studying some philosophy there and I decided that I didn’t want to be a doctor. I did have some feelings of guilt, because places to study medicine at Cambridge are sought after, and
here I was asking my tutor if I could switch to philosophy and experimental psychology, with the new aim of becoming a clinical psychologist’. She changed course, despite, as she says, ‘My mother saying, ‘and what on earth does philosophy lead to?’’ It didn’t take her into clinical psychology. ‘I had a friend at university who led me into working on the student magazine, and I discovered I loved writing. Broadcasting came into the frame through my sister in law who worked at the BBC. And, to be honest, I saw journalism as a faster route into the world of work than the further studying needed for psychology. The next step was a post graduate course diploma in Broadcast Journalism at the London College of Printing, having been awarded a BBC bursary. These twists and turns in her fledgling career might seem to indicate a lack of planning. She doesn’t deny it. But she does have firm, and positive, views on it. Firstly she says, ‘It does seem like I was changing my mind, but I always say to younger people now that sometimes you have to seize opportunities and go where events and developments take you. Life isn’t always mapped out, and you seldom know exactly what you want to do when you’re in your formative years’. Secondly she addresses a very real point. Broadcast journalism really did pull together and draw on all of the elements that make Susie tick. She’d acted at Connecticut and Cambridge, and broadcasting has an element of performance within it. In fact, acting is in the family; her aunt is President of the Society of London Theatre. She’d had a taste of journalism at university, and loved it. And psychology and philosophy? They would prove more than useful as we shall see. There would be changes of job in the future, but no more changes of overall direction. Susie Fowler -Watt was a broadcast journalist.
After a brief spell at BBC Radio Surrey in 1991 she joined BBC Radio Suffolk as a reporter in Lowestoft. Local radio she says is a great way to learn. ‘I had to do everything. I can clearly recall working out of a cupboard! There was no sound proofing for recording, and on one occasion I was taking instructions, by phone, from an engineer on which wires to plug in where. I kept saying to myself, ‘I will not cry.’’ Stints in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Surrey again followed, making up some three years in regional radio. Then came a step change. She moved to Westminster to work in political journalism, and television. Starting as an Assistant Producer, she worked on BBC2
programmes like Westminster Live and The Midnight Hour, and then became a regional political correspondent. ‘A week after I started, John Smith, the Labour leader died, and from that moment on, and certainly up to and through the 1997 election and the beginning of the Tony Blair era, politics was top of the national agenda. It was a terrific time to be there, to be involved’. She says this with genuine nostalgia for an important, and plainly exciting time, in her life, but there’s a very real sense that she knows the dates and the names in a truly professional way too. This is a woman who by the time she was 26 was working as a Lobby Correspondent, in the front of line of political journalism.
She was interviewing Prime Ministers. By any standards it’s worthy of note as a serious achievement. With characteristic modesty, and enthusiasm, Susie Fowler- Watt is at pains to point out that it was a privilege. I can see her point, but such privilege is not given easily. It’s a matter of record that a for-mer boss once described her as ‘one of those people who sets her sights on what’s to be done, and goes all out for it. She has drive’. Listening to her it’s easy to believe that significant career events have ‘just happened’, and to an extent there has been an element of that. But make no bones about the fact that however she arrived at a job, once she’s on it, she pursues it with a laser like attention to the task to get it done as
professionally as possible. It was professional objectivity that had made her start to wonder about what came next. ‘The political climate changed. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be in Westminster any more. I’d loved it, but I had a feeling that I’d seen the best of it. Within days of the 1997 election I’d been offered the chance to be a presenter at BBC EAST. I jumped at it’. ‘I think’, she says, ‘that Stewart White had had a hand in it. He’d seen some of my work and put in a word when they were looking for a new presenter’. It’s said with obvious gratitude and affection for her now long term copresenter, for whom she plainly has the highest professional regard. ‘We’re colleagues, and friends. It makes difference’.
She wasn’t exactly connecting wires in a cupboard this time, but it was another baptism of fire. ‘I came up on the Monday morning, and I was presenting, on air, that night!’ The ‘trial’ proved successful. ‘I’m still here!’ And indeed she is. Susie FowlerWatt is an integral part of the region’s broadcast news. Her’s is a face that we see nightly, in our living rooms. As she says herself, people have grown up watching her. It could be argued that that means she is a ‘celebrity’. It’s not an argument I recommend pursuing. Firstly, she’s way too modest a person to even believe that. She is genuinely surprised at how recognisable, and recognised she is. ‘I love it that people know me, and come up to speak to me, but I see my position as a privilege. I’m
GREAT people ordinary looking and I’m totally normal’. I’m not sure I would agree with either point, because she has a real charisma, but she brings it into hilarious focus by acting out for me a frequent supermarket scenario. ‘People often talk as if I’m not there. ‘Is that her? That’s Susie FowlerWatt.’ It’s lovely but I am tempted to say sometimes, ‘Yes. it’s me. I have to do the shopping. Like you do’. The shopping, and the school runs and all the other domestic matters have to be attended to because she is a working mum, ‘juggling it all, the work and the child care’. Her husband is Alex Dunlop, who is a BBC reporter. ‘It was an office romance’ she says. They have two children, Lola who is 10, and Hugo who is 2. They live in South Norfolk , ‘with a dog, cat, and chickens’. Life is busy, and some biographical details on her which quote her as saying that her leisure time is spent with her feet up reading the papers are she says ‘out of date. there is no feet up time now!’ Given the chance to relax their abiding passions are the cinema and theatre, but visits are more rare than they would like. What hasn’t changed from that earlier biography is her obsession (her word) with ‘Grease’. The soundtrack album was her first record purchase, and she admits to the biographer’s claim that she had a John Travolta doll. ‘It wasn’t pleasant’ she adds now. These reminiscences and personal insights have all been discussed with real warmth, and she can be genuinely funny. Her face lights up when she smiles, and her laughter is infectious. But our talk is coming to an end and I want to find out more about her work. Her craft. It’s a rewarding seam. I ask her about the cut and thrust of, mainly, political interviewing. How does it feel to question one person, rigorously, and then turn the argument on its head to challenge somebody of opposing views. Her answer is
truly profound, and must have its roots in the philosophy she’s studied. There is no hesitation, no pause for con-struction or effect. She simply says, ‘Devil’s advocacy is not the same as opinions’. It’s perfect. Have you ever had the process explained so succinctly? I haven’t. In fact she is so passionate about the objectivity of her craft that she goes on to say that interviewees have no idea of her beliefs. ‘Even people I work with here have no idea about my personal beliefs’. That masking of what she believes, in the interests of professional journalism, does not mean that she presents a false image of herself though. Quite the contrary. When I ask her for the magic ingredient that makes a broadcaster credible she’s quick to answer, ‘Be yourself’. We talk in more detail about the technical demands. The tone of voice, the dealing with emotional stories and the sometimes standing, sometimes sitting, styles of the modern news programme. What emerges is her determination to engage with the viewer. To see things as the viewer sees it; to ask the questions the viewer would ask. And underneath it all is her persistent belief, or realisation, that she is in a privileged position. On a lighter note, but still conscious of privilege, she explains that aside from the ‘news’ she does have wonderful opportunities to meet and interview people for feature pro-grammes. ‘Emma Freud was fantastic. I interviewed Shirley Williams to talk about her mother’s writing which was wonderful’. She beams. ‘I met Jason Donovan! My life was made!’ We’ve talked for quite a while. She’s been remarkably generous with her time. In fact we’ve decamped to another room having outstayed the time slot booked for the meeting room. It’s because she’s so buoyant, so communicative, that I ask her you must have down days. How do you deal with that when you have to present, on tv?
Her answer is further testament to her professionalism. ‘Of course it happens. A cold. A bad headache. It’s thirty minutes on air. Punch through it’. This time she does pause for a moment, and then adds, ‘I think the best advice I was ever given about presenting is this. ‘Be yourself but on a really good day’’. Earlier in our conversation Susie had told me that one thing did make her cross. It was the belief that her job was simple. ‘It’s not. I’m not a show and go presenter. There’s writing and research to do. There are a hundred things going on around you, and you have to be able to deal with it all, including the presenting itself, the technology and the demands of live tv’. I think the problem is rather like that suffered by Fred Astaire. He worked so hard at his craft, endlessly perfecting it that, to the viewer, it looked easy. Susie Fowler-Watts’s sheer professionalism is such that her work looks much simpler than it is. And the biggest accomplishment of all? For all those demands, for all that journalistic integrity and
objectivity - what you see really is what you get. The tables are turned. It was my turn to be in a privileged position. The chance to spend a couple of hours talking with one of the most engaging and professional broadcast journalists you’ll find; and to find that she’s one of the nicest and most natural people you’ll meet. Leaving the building, those words of her’s came back to me. After a couple of hours talking with Susie Fowler- Watt, I felt like me - on a really good day!
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2015 June | 17
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Elderly The Hearing Care Centre 5 Signs That Your Partner May Have a Hearing Loss Hearing loss can occur so gradually that many people don’t even notice they have a problem. Very often, it’s actually the partner of the person with undiagnosed hearing loss who notices something is amiss. If you’re worried your partner could be suffering from hearing loss, familiarise yourself with these five signs that indicate it might be time for a hearing test. 1. “Would you mind repeating that?” Miscommunication is the most obvious sign that there might be something wrong. If you find yourself repeating yourself a lot more than you used to, it is likely your partner has a hearing loss and is struggling to understand you. 2. The volume on the TV is turned up too loud
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If your significant other likes to have the TV turned up to a level that is uncomfortable for other members of the family, it is very possible that he or she has a hearing loss. 3. Distance in social situations If your once talkative partner has becoming increasingly quiet in social settings, it could be that they are having trouble hearing what others are saying. It is not uncommon for people with untreated hearing loss to become withdrawn and isolated as they deal with the stress and embarrassment of struggling to follow conversation. 4. Confusion Hearing loss does not just make sound quieter – it has a range of effects that can make conversation sound muffled or garbled. If you notice your spouse looking confused or
disoriented in the midst of a conversation, smiling politely instead of laughing at a joke or misinterpreting what someone has said, hearing loss could be the root of the problem. 5. Frustration It is very normal for people with untreated hearing loss to become frustrated at those around them as they strain to understand what is being said. These feelings are understandable, as developing a hearing loss is a life-altering experience. Living with an untreated hearing impairment takes a great deal of energy and patience, so it’s no wonder your partner feels frustrated. Even though it’s hard, try not to take it personally if your partner takes out some of his or her frustration on you. Try to remember that it’s not actually
you they’re frustrated with – it’s the fact they can’t hear as well as they used to. If you recognise any of these signs in your significant other, it might be time to gently suggest that a hearing test is a good idea. This is a delicate topic though, and should be approached with care. Karen Finch is the Managing Director and lead audiologist at The Hearing Care Centre.The multi-award winning, family-run company has 20 centres across Suffolk and Norfolk, including locally in Dereham, Watton and Wymondham. For more information visit www. hearingcarecentre.co.uk or call 0800 096 2637.
2015 June | 19
Elderly South Norfolk Mobility Centre A local, small independent company, making customer service their top priority With summer upon us, we enter into the county show, village fetes and fairs, season. Let’s hope that we get the good weather to go with them! If your thoughts are turning to getting out and about, but your mobility is holding you back, you might like to consider a mobility aid. This might be a simple walking stick or 3 or 4 wheeled walker. Our range of canes includes a choice of pretty floral designs and of course plain black. Some have moulded right and left hand grip for extra comfort. Our 3 and 4 wheeled walkers give stability, support and confidence with walking. They fold for transport and have room for holding shopping or handbag.
If you need that little bit extra help, then a scooter might be worth your consideration. We have a great range of new and second hand scooters. The small 4mph ones are ideal for easily transporting in the car, they have a range of about 8-10 miles and give you back your independence. The large 8mph scooters are ideal for use from home, or can be transported, depending upon what kind of car you have. Whatever your need, we will be very pleased to help and advise you. See more at wwwsouthnorfolkmobilitycentre. co.uk
The Denture Clinic Professional denture service based in Norwich Martin as a Clinical Dental Technician (CDT) is a registered dental care professional, trained and qualified to provide a range of denture services direct to the patient, previously only available through your dentist, although some treatment plans will require a referral from your dentist, partically if you have your own natural teeth remaining. Martin qualified with the Royal College of Surgeons (Eng) and has been working with dentures since 1986. Martin is highly experienced in providing cosmetic dentures to his patients, giving advice in a friendly, caring and professional manner. Martin’s advanced knowledge helps him to solve the most challenging of dentures problems. During your first appointment to the Denture Clinic, Martin will undertake a detailed clinical evaluation, enabling the diagnosis
20 | June 2015
to be reached, in order to create a detailed treatment plan, which is then tailored exactly to your needs. By taking the first steps at the Denture Clinic, Martin is able to offer you the advanced technical and clinical skills needed to carefully design every denture to your individual requirements. For ease and comfort appointments can also be made with a dental practitioner.
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We follow four principles: * Rebuilding your morale with personal dentures * Patient centered dentistry * Patient controlled dentistry * Highest quality standards in both clinical and manufacturing procedures For more information or to speak to someone from the clinic, visit the website: www.denturecliinicnorwich.co.uk
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Elderly Able Community Care The Alternative to Moving into a Care Home Getting older sometimes means that a person needs to be cared for twenty four hours a day. Such care can be provided in a care home or in a person’s own home. Given the choice, many people would prefer to stay in their own home and Able Community Care has enabled thousands of people to exercise this choice. Our experience has shown that having a regular rota of experienced carers in your own home is often a much happier alternative than moving into a care home. Able Community Care has been providing an alternative choice to moving into a care home since 1980 by providing Live-in Carer Schemes throughout the UK. Our live-in care staff have enabled thousands of disabled and older
people to remain happily within their own home. The role of our live-in carers is to provide domestic, personal and social care tailored to each individual’s needs and wishes. One of our clients is Kate. Kate was born in 1919 and in 2006 as a result of arthritis and too common falls, Kate and her family had to make a decision as to how Kate wished to be cared for. Her own wish was to remain living in her own bungalow, to keep up her social activities and to maintain her hobbies. Kate and her family decided to try a Live-in Carer Scheme and since 2006 a continuous, regular, rotational system of liked live-in care workers have supported Kate, now aged 95, and who
Kate wrote the following comments with reference to the care she received in 2014 on our Customer Satisfaction Form:
visit relatives. • Long term care to a person who wishes to share the care. For example, Able can provide one or two weeks of care, then the family the next period etc. on a flexible, rotational basis.
• “The live-in care workers carry out the tasks that are important to me.”
• A “Home From Hospital” care package offering convalescent live-in care at home.
• “I feel comfortable about contacting my Care Manager” (whom she has met).
Able Community Care currently provides Live-in, Carer Schemes in over 50 counties and our clients range in age from early twenties to over one hundred years of age.
continues to live happily in her own home.
• “I am happy with the service I am receiving.” • “The responsiveness to ‘out of hours’ contact is satisfying and responsive.” Live-in Carers are special people. Whilst living for weekly or fortnightly periods in a client’s home they provide domestic support, personal care and offer companionship. Each of our clients has an individual ‘job description’ and it is the objective of our Care Managers to provide our clients with a regular rota of liked live-in carer workers and also to find for our care workers, clients for whom they have the skills to care for. One of our live-in care workers is Lorna who has been with us since 2011. Before joining Able Community Care, Lorna was a care worker for her County Council where she gained experience and care certification including attaining NVQ Level 3 in Social Care. Lorna is one of Kate’s two regular live-in carers and is a driver and non-smoker. In addition to providing professionally managed live-in care at home on a long term basis, Able Community Care can also provide the following care packages: • Respite care for family carers who need a well-earned break. • A Carer to accompany a person who wants to go on holiday or to
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Some of our clients have been with us since the 1990’s and their care packages have been continuous. As a result we have a reputation for reliability. A large number of our care workers have been with us for over ten years and some for over fifteen years. Able Community Care’s website www.uk-care.com provides comprehensive information, including many moving and heartfelt client comments. There is also an option to sign up for our free email Newsflash, written by the MD. Angela Gifford each week, to keep up to date with the latest care information and news which may affect you or your family. Angela Gifford formed Able Community Care in 1980 and as Managing Director she continues to benefit this successful company with her long experience of the care sector. Angela is highly regarded as an expert in the field of home care and also consults at an international level on many aspects of care provision. If you have any questions about our Live-in Care Schemes please contact us on 01603 764567 or email to ablemg@aol.com. For a Free Information Pack, please don’t hesitate to contact Able Community Care on 01603 764567 or email ablemg@aol. com. Alternatively you can visit our website for more information. 2015 June | 21
Elderly Castlemeadow Care The stress free retirement you deserve is the promise from the Woodgate Park Retirement Village at Swanton Morley, near Dereham. Spacious two bedroom bungalows are now available at this village style development which promotes independent living with care on hand if and when needed. The new bungalows build on the success of the first phase of Woodgate Park.
The retirement village is fully wheelchair accessible, and being in Swanton Morley village itself you will be able to take advantage of the many facilities it has to offer that include a traditional pub, general store, bakery and award winning butchers.
The unique retirement village development, brought to the mid Norfolk countryside by Castlemeadow Care, is designed to deliver peace of mind for its residents. The picturesque surroundings and traditionally designed bungalows are complemented by a range of top-quality services and facilities ranging from care support to GP medical care.
The aim at Woodgate Park Retirement Village is to ensure residents are offered just the right amount of support to help them live an active and enjoyable life, while enjoying safety, support and peace of mind.
Each bungalow has a generous open plan living space, underfloor heating, solar panels, kitchens and bathrooms designed for easy access and comfortable bedrooms with spacious fitted wardrobes. Each has patio doors leading to a private terrace and garden, all have views across the landscaped village gardens and several have garages available too. In this retirement village the exclusive Club House is the social hub, allowing residents to dine together when they choose, meet for coffee mornings or congregate for events and activities. There is a hair salon and nail bar on site if you need a little pampering plus an award winning GP Surgery with pharmacy. The village also has an on site care home, wi-fi in communal areas, fibre optic broadband available, a dedicated care and support service, domestic help and 24/7 nurse alarm call system. www.DispatchMagazine.co.uk
The village is within easy reach of many of Norfolk’s attractions from the shops, attractions, arts and history of Norwich to the beautiful mid and north Norfolk countryside, the stunning beaches and the Norfolk Broads with its scenic waterways and rare wildlife. For those individuals or couples who are considering downsizing or beginning to worry about coping with everyday tasks or their general well being, Woodgate Park may be the key to an enjoyable new chapter in their lives. In the words of Gwyneth, a retired pharmacist and a resident of Woodgate Park. “I wanted to be able to stay in my own home, feel safe and secure and be reassured that I could rely on trained staff when I needed it. Woodgate Park ticked all the boxes for me. As a bonus I have made new friends and enjoy the social activities that take place in the Club House. I have been recommending Woodgate Park to all my friends!� To find out more call: 01362 620016 or visit:www.castlemeadowcare. co.uk Woodgate Park, Woodgate Road, Swanton Morley, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4NU 2015 June | 23
Elderly Angelica Place Angelica Place offers networking and support group for carers and those living with dementia Angelica Place is extending an invitation to carers and friends of local people living with dementia in the Griston, Watton and Thetford, Brandon, Ashill and Carbrooke areas, to come along to its new social group, the ‘Friendship Café’. From 13th April 2015, the ‘Friendship Café’ will be held from 10.30am to 12.30pm every Monday at Angelica Place day care centre in Manor Road, Griston. Following a relaunch last year, Angelica Place provides a supportive environment for people living with dementia. Specialist facilities include a 1950’s styled kitchen, a sensory room and garden, an Audrey Hepburn ladies’ beauty salon and
a barber shop. All toilet facilities are fully accessible and there is free parking on site. Designed for anyone who cares for a family member, friend or neighbour, the open minded support group offers a place where local people can talk to others who are also caring for a loved one living with dementia and share their experiences. Lyn Foulds, the ‘Dementia Champion’ who has been based at Angelica Place since it opened, will be available at the Friendship Café to provide advice, information and support to carers and to ensure that they have access to the right resources to assist them.
“Angelica Place is the ‘go-to place’ for advice, support and community-based services for local people who are living with dementia and those who are caring for them,” explains Lyn Foulds. “We are opening the café to all local people and would warmly welcome anyone who wishes to volunteer to help this to become a real hub for the community.” Each month’s activities will be published on the Manorcourt Homecare website and on the notice board at Angelica Place.
Championing dementia in Norfolk
An enjoyable & sociable day out The perfect place to make new friends
Refreshments will be available at the Friendship Café and lunch can be provided on request. Transport to Angelica Place can also be arranged. Commenting on the Friendship Café, Mike Osborne, Managing Director of Manorcourt Homecare
said: “Angelica Place already provides a vital day care support service, offering specialist facilities for 70+ individuals and their families from Griston, Watton and surrounding areas. It was always our intention to develop a community-based hub to enable carers to access support and information from people who have specialist knowledge and experience of caring for people with dementia. The Friendship Café is the first step in building that wider support network in our local community.” Angelica Place is open Monday to Friday from 9am – 4pm at Manor Road, Griston, Thetford, IP25 6RG. For further information on the activities and facilities at Angelica Place, please visit www.manorcourtcare.co.uk, call a member of the team on 01953 889230, or visit www. healthcarehomes.co.uk
• Hair salon & barber shop • Reminiscence room • 1950’s kitchen and parlour • Chiropody & sensory therapy room • Art area & exercise hall • Adapted garden • Mini bus service available
Book a day with us now on
01953 889 230 A Dementia Centre from 24 | June 2015
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O VER £550,000
Specialist Dementia Care at It’s Best The Beeches care home in East Harling With a number of recent news articles portraying poor care within care homes, especially within the Dementia market, one Norfolk care home in particular is bucking the trend. The Beeches is a registered care home for the Elderly and those suffering from Dementia. The home is set in 2 acres of beautiful gardens in the town of East Harling. All rooms are furnished to hotel standards but are personalised to suit each new resident, with residents encouraged to bring in their own personal belongings. There are 44 bedrooms with a separate specialist dementia wing for 15 residents. The Home provides a range of assisted bathrooms, showers and accompanying mobility aids. The Home also has a number of spacious lounges and a conservatory offering large flat screen televisions. Meal times are an important part of the day and The Beeches offers a full choice of daily menus. A balanced and nutritious diet is offered with emphasis placed on fresh homemade meals. Hot and cold drinks and a range of snacks are available throughout the day. The homes menu is created by discussions between the residents, their families and staff.The Home has an Activities Co-ordinator who organises activities on a daily
basis for the Residents. These are led by resident’s requests and family’s suggestions and have included cinema afternoons, arts and crafts, external entertainment, quizzes and reminiscent based events.
SPENT ON UPGRADING THE HOME !
THE BEECHES
Black Swan International to expand with multi-million pound finance package. Norwich headquartered Black Swan International Ltd has secured a seven-figure funding package from NatWest as part of its continued expansion plans. Founded in 1994, Black Swan currently operates 13 private care homes across Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire − with a headcount of over 400.
Rooms from £550 per week Single En Suite Bedrooms Permanent, Respite and
Holiday Care Chiropody and Hairdressing in the Town Centre Individual Centred Care Home Cooked Meals Daily Activity Flat Screen TV in
Resident’s parties are organised on a regular basis and at all times the Home believes in maintaining social interaction between residents, their families and friends. The Beeches is owned by Norfolk based company Black Swan International Limited who have 13 care homes in Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. They are an experienced care operator that prides itself in putting residents needs and feelings first. The dignity and independence of each resident is promoted within all of the Company’s Care Homes. For more information, to request a brochure or to arrange a visit The Beeches can be contacted on 01953 717584 or visit their website www.blackswan.co.uk
Elderly
Every Bedroom
THE BEECHES
The Beeches 1 West Harling Road, East Harling, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2N Telephone +44 (0)1953 717 584 Fax. : +44 (0)1953 717 584
thebeeches@blackswan.co.uk www.blackswan.co.uk The funding arrangement and refinancing package with NatWest has enabled the firm to acquire The Beeches, East Harling. Following the deal, Black Swan has embarked on a 12-month re-development programme at the 44-bed care home, including physical improvement works. Tom Lyons, operations manager for Black Swan International, said “The funding stream agreed with NatWest is instrumental in helping us achieve our long-term ambitions, allowing us to invest in our care homes and prepare for future growth.
“It’s an exciting time for the business as we add The Beeches to our portfolio and upgrade the home for the comfort and benefit of residents.” Paul Barford, relationship director and healthcare specialist for NatWest, added: “A passion for putting customers at the heart of their business underpins the Black Swan team’s success. “We are proud to support them through an exciting period of growth, which will further cement the company’s strong position in the sector.”
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