Village People South Norwich Winter 2013 by Village People Magazines Ltd

HOMES • GARDENS • OUT & ABOUT • JOBS & MONEY • HEALTH • LOCAL SERVICES

Cinderella

WIN

brings fairy-tale magic to Norwich

a Christ as hampem r

Local

WALK

around Loddon and Hales

WiN

tickets to the Hippodrome Circus

P lus l l l

Plan ahead this

CHRISTMAS to avoid a New Year

Foraging for wild treasures How to heat your home for less Recipe from Relish at Newton Flotman

financial hangover

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Give money to charity in your Will Top tips for buying a new mattress Garden vouchers inside

The independent magazine for the South Norwich village people

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CONTENTS

WINTER 2013

Out and About

8 Good News from our region 13 Ask the audiologist 14 Ladies who Lunch visit Sweet Briar Bistro 17 Cinderella comes to Norwich 19 Local food delivered to your door 21 Mums the word visit Middleton’s in Norwich 22 Village Notice Board 24 Winter recipe for Cullen Skink 26 WIN a family ticket for four at the Circus 27 Latest ﬁlm reviews

17 47 Are you worried about home security? 51 Make your own glamorous Christmas ornaments 52 WIN a fabulous Christmas hamper 55 A life changing African adventure 56 Discover some hidden treasurers this winter

Shopping

Home and Garden

29 Top Tips: how to choose the best mattress 31 Travellers’ tales dips into Rural Rides 35 Christmas Jottings from Ken 37 Local walk around Loddon & Hales

58 Book reviews, local titles 39 Ask the experts chat to Smart Garden Oﬃces 43 New ways to save money on your heating 45 Choose the right stove for your home

Are you looking for a particular product or service? Check out our Local Business Directory on pages 78 & 79!

Heath and Beauty

63 In good health 65 Health Q&A – suffering from stress? 66 Ancient oriental astrology

Jobs, Money and Business

71 Plan ahead this Christmas & avoid a ﬁnancial hangover 73 Leaving money to charity in your will 74 Great recommendations from your area 77 Car review: Vauxhall Mokka 78 Find a local business or service 79 Thinking of advertising? “Special offer”

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Welcome

We’ve had a busy couple of months here at Village People HQ as we were thrilled to be invited to the prestigious Independent Publishers Conference in October. It was a chance to mix and work with many other independent publishers up and down the country and it was an absolute honour to have it conﬁrmed that we are producing one of THE BEST community magazines in the country! Here’s a picture of me and Florence at the evening ‘do’ with Oscar!

As usual we’re bursting at the seams with fabulous local editorial as well as details of the businesses and services on offer in our area. There’s never been a better time to ‘Be Local and Buy Local’ so please make sure Village People is the first place you look when you need a service and let’s all support the local community in every way we can. We have two great competition prizes on offer but both have an early closing date so make sure you get your entries emailed over to us soon so you can be in with a chance of winning a very delicious Christmas Hamper or family tickets to the Hippodrome’s Christmas Spectacular Circus & Water Show. And as we come to the end of another busy year I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and to say a BIG thank you to everyone who is involved in Village People, from the contributors to our graphic designers, our wonderful customers (without whom the magazines wouldn’t be possible), my fantastic team in the office, Royal Mail for delivering each and every copy safely through your letterbox, and of course YOU, our readers. I never cease to be amazed at how important Village People is to the community and the number of people who contact me to tell me how much they enjoy the magazines and how useful they find them. Village People plays a huge part in linking people together; helping local businesses to grow and providing readers with a continuous supply of local and interesting reading; bite sized chunks of good old fashioned pleasure each issue!

WIN A Christmas hamper and a family ticket for 4 at the Hippodrome’s Christmas Spectacular

Lily

Read, enjoy & celebrate the festive season! Lily Goulder editor@village-people.info

Advertise with us! Reliably delivered by Royal Mail to 45,000 homes every issue. Three editions of Village People provide unrivalled coverage of South Norfolk and North Suffolk, reaching more homes than ANY other local magazine. For more information, call our friendly team on 0330 660 0325 or send an email to office@village-people.info Winter 2013

Winter 2013

ENS • OUT HOMES • GARD

& MONE & ABOUT • JOBS

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LOCAL SERVICES Y • HEALTH •

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Visit our website to ﬁnd out more www.village-people.info

New country clothes shop opens Established in the fields of Great Britain over 30 years ago, Joules started selling country clobber at equestrian shows and events all over the land.

Today Joules continue to design upbeat clothing for men, women and children who love the outdoors and live life to the full. With the quality of a bygone age of craftsmanship classic pieces and old favourites are constantly reworked into iconic pieces that are made to last season after season. Joules have opened a new shop at the Arc shopping centre in Bury St Edmunds so it’s good news for lovers of fashion and the great outdoors! www.arc-burystedmunds.com

Recommend a teacher to us and you will both receive a £75.00 one4all gift card, once the teacher has worked for 5 days

Qualified Primary and Secondary teachers required for teaching positions throughout Norfolk & Suffolk Day to day ~ Long term ~ Permanent vacancies available See our website or call Samantha for further details

Good news New landlords at d The Queens Hea

Steve eat reception for There’s been a gr lords nd la d an w chefs and Jessie, the ne e. Ey , ad He at The Queens blicans Steve d chefs and keen pu ine tra Both rned ing all they have lea and Jessie aim to br rants. tau res tte se chefs in ro from their days as place n ow r ou g vin rds ha “We’ve worked towa autiful be is says Steve, “and th together for ages”, dream a e lik is e ely town of Ey building in the lov eir th th wi t ou starting come true.” They are ial redients and a spec ing al loc on e own tak m fro le ich will be availab Christmas menu wh ber. the end of Novem e. o.uk eye.c www.queenshead

from our region gion Another design award for local architect

Save up t o 70% on your

heat ing bil ls

Bunwell-based architectural practice Andrew P R Love architecture.design.planning has won a South Norfolk Design Award for 2013. The awards presentation took place at The Forum in Norwich during the Festival of Architecture 2013. Fourteen other projects were short-listed but the judging panel’s decision was ‘unanimous’ and Andrew P R Love was awarded the top prize.

The design award was given for the stunning two-storey extension and re-modelling of a Grade II listed thatched farmhouse in Suton, near Wymondham. The owners of the house were delighted to take part in the presentation and to receive a stone plaque for display on the building. If you are planning our own ‘Grand Design’ then you can ﬁnd out more about Andrew P R Love here: www.andrewprloveadp.co.uk

with an air or gas-fired boiler Replacing your oil 70% savings could make up to source heat pump ter bills. wa t heating and ho on your domestic ndly. Plus rie o-f ec ry is also ve This form of heating newable a guaranteed RHI (re you will qualify for y, to set rve ent, subject to su heat incentive) paym installation. against the costs of ed to the ven heat pump is fitt The electrically-dri in the y erg en s lise uti rty. It exterior of a prope ergy to en o int s thi ing ert nv surrounding air, co ng and hot ati he ter for all your heat litres of hot wa ry low ve at en ev mp works water needs. The pu s. external temperature it uld benefit, then vis If you think you co d out more. fin to umps.co.uk www.huskyheatp

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Gislingham Silver Band is looking for new members d is proud to be The Gislingham Silver Ban village brass band hed blis esta Suffolk’s longest 5. having been formed in 188 new members of They would love to encourage d. Member’s ban the join to any age and ability players star t in ice ages range from 9 to 80+. Nov into the main ing ress prog re befo d ban the training lable. If you avai n ofte are band. Loan instruments a brass instrument play to ning lear ied fanc r eve have on the full range of you are invited to have a blow ent to join. Individual instruments with no commitm . sible pos be tuition may tice on Tuesday Both sections of the band prac Street, Gislingham Mill in room d ban evenings in the pop along to e and visitors are always welcom and to sit in. is at Gislingh The band’s Christmas Concert hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 10th December. For details contact the band secretar y Peter Lucas on 01379 788411

d.com

www.gislinghamsilverban

am village

Support group

for new mums launches a charity calendar

Louise Mundford set up a group called New Mums Without Mums (NMWM) after losing her own mum during her pregnancy. Its 57 members support one another through regular meet ups and also raise money for charities close to their hearts. NMWM are currently working on a charity calendar with local photographer, Alison Armstrong. Each month will have a theme and will include photographs of the children from the group. Calendars will be available from early November at a cost of £6. The money raised will to go to Priscilla Bacon Lodge which has helped many families in the group. NMWM would like to sell as many calendars as possible so if you need a 2014 calendar please contact Louise at louisemundford@googlemail. com. If you know a new or expectant mum without a mum, please tell them about the

support offered by NMWM.

Need a locksmith? 24/7

Kingfisher Locksmiths For Financial Advice call Rob and Jane Lewin on

No call out charge OAP Discount Tel 01953 602255 Mob 07958 315661 A Norfolk Trusted Trader!

www.kingfisherlocksmiths.co.uk 10

Good news Finally! The solu tion to your slow broadb and!

ThinkingWISP off ers a frustration-fre e broadband service , leaving you to sh op, watch and surf. Th is is an essential solution for local businesses and pe ople working from hom e, fed up with their existing poor serv ice.

Using secure wireless technology Thinking WISP avoids the problems of long cables that slo w broadband speeds for many. As a result , ThinkingWISP don’t provide an ‘up to’ service but fast, reliab le broadband with pa ckages between 3 and 10Mb /s. Even better, as it’s wi reless, you don’t need a lan dline, saving you £1 85 year. Find out on page 33 or call 01603 55 8001. www.thinkingwi sp.co.uk

Gary’s Carpentry & Joinery

Bespoke joinery, Kitchens, Bedrooms, Fitted Furniture. Spray finish available.

Friendly local sole trader

www.carpenterandjoinernorwich.co.uk garyhaze@hotmail.co.uk

T: 01953 603351 M: 07979 894881

The wonders of the Wensum Way Walkers up for a challenge this winter will now be able to cross the entire length of Norfolk by foot, from Great Yarmouth to King’s Lynn, thanks to Norfolk County Council’s latest footpath, the Wensum Way. The Wensum Way is a 12-mile pathway which crosses tranquil Norfolk countryside. This trail is a new addition to the already popular Norfolk Trails series, a selection of 10 long distance footpaths in Norfolk. The trail promises walkers glimpses of a diverse range of animal and plant species, county wildlife areas and Sites of Special Scientiﬁc Interest, as well as passing through picturesque market towns and historical and archaeological sites. Visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/trails to search for walks all over Norfolk.

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FULLY QUALIFIED & INSURED CONTACT KEVIN GEORGE 01508571339 • 07535136963

Out & About

Find us everywhere: search Epic Norwich > Air conditioning > Seating > Stadium screens > Superb sound > New cafe/bars

TICKETS www.epic-tv.com 112 Magdalen Street Norwich, NR3 1JD 01603 727 727

MOOSE BLOOD + Other Half, Hearts & Minds, Not Penny’s Boat Thursday, Nov 7 £4 HANDGUNS (Warped Tour Warm Up), Light You Up, Call It Reckless, Dreyfus, Keep It Secret Saturday, Nov 9 £7 THE RAINBAND + Guests Thursday, Nov 14, £6 THE METEORS + Gravedale High, Big Black Cadillac Wednesday, Nov 20, £12 FROM THE JAM + The Universal + Guests Saturday, Nov 16 £20 THE WEDDING PRESENT + Das Fenster & The Alibis Thursday, Nov 21, £15 FLASH – Queen Tribute Complete show Friday, Nov 22, £18.50 STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL Sunday, Nov 24, £22.50

Epic Studios

HAVOK + Angelus Apatrida + Savage Messiah Wednesday, Nov 27, £6 HOWARD JONES Electro music superstar Thursday, Nov 28 £20 ABBA REUNION - Tribute 8 tickets for the price of 6 Friday, Nov 29, £18.50 BUZZCOCKS + Maid of Ace, Chris Pope, Under the Radar Saturday, Nov 30, £16 SIMON SINGH - The Secret Maths of the Simpsons Hidden secrets of The Simpsons Tuesday, Dec 3, £4 Acoustic night with Jake Morrell, Tom Cox, Matilda Pine & Kayleigh Watson. Thursday, Dec 5, £4 ACOUSTIC Night with Jake Morell and special guests Thursday, Dec 4, £4 AVOSETTA + special guests Friday, Dec 6 £5

Epic Venue

TTNG + Victor Villareal, Olympians, Reno Dekota Weds, Dec 11, £6 BAD MANNERS + Max Splodge, Downsetters & The Pukes Friday, Dec 13, £13 MIDGE URE Unvarnished and acoustic performance Saturday, Dec 14, £25 HEMINGWAY + Support Thursday, Dec 20, £6 DJ GILES PETERSON Top tunes from a top DJ Friday, Dec 20, £15 JEFFERSON STARSHIP Formerly Jefferson Airplane, the original band with all their hits. Saturday, Jan 25, £25 MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE Friday, Jan 31, £12 THINK FLOYD - Tribute Friday, Mar 7, £12

Epic Entertainment

Ask The Audiologist Managing Director and audiologist of The Hearing Care Centre, takes a few minutes out of her diary to answer some of the most frequently asked questions she hears from her patients. How do I know if I need a hearing test? As hearing loss is often a gradual process, its occurrence is not always obvious to us. Often it is those closest to us that notice we are not hearing things the way we once used to. There are a number of possible symptoms that may be indicative of an underlying hearing loss. If you recognise any of them, book yourself a hearing test: • It seems as though people are mumbling • Being told you have the TV up too loud • Having diﬃculty hearing people talking from other rooms • Hard to communicate in group situations • Asking people to repeat themselves often

How often should I have my hearing tested? To ensure optimal hearing we recommend you have your hearing reviewed every 2 years as your hearing is constantly changing. What happens during a hearing test? The assessment begins with an examination of the ear, the ear canals, and the ear drums. A measurement is then taken to assess your middle ear health and function. Speech Testing is then carried out to determine how clearly speech is perceived at a comfortable listening level. Lastly, Pure-Tone Testing is completed by having the patient listen for very soft tones or beeps. The Audiologist will then review the results with you.

How much is a hearing aid? The cost of a hearing aid is inﬂuenced by a variety of factors, but mostly by the level or sophistication of the hearing aid technology. An entry-level hearing aid will be less expensive and will also have fewer features, whereas a more advanced hearing aid may be more expensive and will have many more features that enhance sound quality and your ability to hear speech when in background noise. Hearing aids with The Hearing Care Centre start from around £300 and can go up to £2,500.

The Hearing Care Centre Ltd East Anglia’s multi-award winning, private hearing care company Freephone 0800 096 2637 | www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk

Local centres: Attleborough, Botesdale, Dereham, Eye, Framlingham, Halesworth, Harleston, Thetford and Wymondham

Ladies Who Lunch Sweet briar biStro

Peter Beales Roses, London Rd, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 1AY 01953 451655

ﬁnishing it that evening, I opted for one of the lighter bites from the table menu; crisp chicken and croutons with salad and chilli sauce.

was nothing like the charlottes my granny used to make – she would have been scandalised at the richness of this one. It was delicious.

On a rainy Monday in late October I assumed that there wouldn’t be many people buying roses, and maybe the little bistro attached might be empty. Not a bit of it! At least half of the tables were in use with couples and families enjoying a variety of tasty looking treats.

My companion chose loin of pork with Dijon cream dressing and mixed vegetables. When our food arrived, I can honestly say I have never seen so much salad on one plate! Wonderful – a mixture of leaves, all the usual salad items and grapes, peppers, cress and slices of lemon and orange to squeeze over. The chicken pieces were tucked away in the midst of the greenery. It was brilliant –really tasty and satisfying without being heavy. My companion’s pork was a generous tender serving, and her Dijon mustard dressing was lovely, as were her vegetables which included Romanesco cauliﬂower. (We swapped ‘tasters’ of course!) Unusually, I ordered a bottle of beer to go with mine, and that was super too.

To follow, we had about a dozen different coffees to choose from, including latte, Americano, espresso and something new that my friend chose – toffeecino. I had a mocha which came in a tall glass, and we mmmmmmm’ed our way through them. This was altogether a wonderful lunch, I was impressed.

n my birthday in 2010 I went to (and wrote about) Breckland Lodge on the A11 near Attleborough. At the end of the report I mentioned that just up the road was Peter Beales Roses – barely a couple of hundred yards. We called in for coffee and I thought at the time that I might go back there one day and have a lunch… how glad I am that I did!

It’s a bright, cheerful place with bright, cheerful staff and we were soon shown to our reserved table by a helpful young waitress. I thought that the menu might be a bit restricted; perhaps offering soup-and-roll type food, so when I spotted roast beef and Yorkshire pud on the specials board I was quite surprised. Not only roast beef, but a lamb and veg pudding, loin of pork, and a salmon dish. Having had a big heavy roast dinner on the Sunday, and knowing that I would be

BOTTOM LINE Pork Chicken 2 Puds Drinks and coffees TOTAL

£9.95 £8.95 £9.90 £12.80 £41.60

As you probably know by now, I do love a big helping of dessert, and there were half a dozen fabulous choices on the blackboard. Better still, they were on show at the counter, so we hurried down to inspect them and choose. There were two different meringue roulades and the lemon one was marked ‘gluten free’ which is very considerate. There was a satisfyingly deep treacle tart, something with a crumble topping, and an Irish cream cheesecake. My friend chose the Black Forest meringue roulade and I had the most amazing caramel and amaretto topped confection which was referred to as a charlotte, but

There is also a gift shop attached to the bistro with a wide range of decently priced items for sale – soaps, pictures, slippers, all sorts of lovely things.

Out & About Redwings

Horse Sanctuary

CHRISTMAS OPEN WEEKEND Saturday 7TH and Sunday 8TH December 2013

Hapton, South of Norwich Free admission from 10am to 3pm

Join us at our Christmas Open Weekend and spend the day with some very special rescued horses and ponies! Visit our specialist Horse Hospital and Rehoming Centre, enjoy demonstrations, tour the farm and meet some of our 1,300 rescued residents.

s at... Come & visit u Sweet Briar Garden Centre Also Sweet Briar Bistro en View our Gard dar Evening Calen

Tours of the site and horse hospital Displays from the rehoming and handling teams

OPEN: 9am-5pm (Mon-Sat) 10am-4pm (Sundays & Bank Hols) (evenings by arrangement)

Meet some of our rescued foals

Tel. 01953 451655 London Road, Attleborough, Norfolk. NR17 1AY

TOmbola

Sweet Briar Bistro & Gifts Ltd (at Peter Beales Roses)

second-hand goods sale gift shop and cafĂ&#x2030; join the adoption club pony grooming Tack sale

For more details please visit www.redwings.org.uk or call 0870 040 0033

Call in for a fabulous selection of plants perfect for wildlife gardens, woodland and bog gardens Our Tearoom serves lunches, homemade scones, cakes and ice creams all day Find us just off the A47; 10 miles East of Norwich at NR13 6DZ 01603 270449 www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

01603

455555

SPROWSTON MANOR

OR FREEPHONE 0800 575575 No extra charge after midnight

FIVE STAR TAXIS

6, 7, 8 SEATERS NOW AVAILABLE 43a Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, NR1 1BL Email: info@5startaxis.com

Out & About

C inderella comes to Norwich Seventies soul diva, Sheila Ferguson, is preparing to swap musical magic for pantomime powers to star in the Norwich Theatre Royal festive spectacular Cinderella.

ou name it and Sheila Ferguson has done it. During a packed career combining musical superstardom and stage success, most of the world has been won over by her soulful voice and larger-than-life personality. Sheila is best known for being a member of The Three Degrees. She recalled: “No matter what I do in life, I will probably be known best for being in The Three Degrees because they had such a strong impact, particularly in the music industry in England and Japan. We were huge. I am very proud of those years and very proud of the songs that are now classics and standards.” If Norwich has not experienced the ‘Ferguson Factor’ yet, it soon will as she is looking forward to taking on the role of The Fairy Godmother in the Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime Cinderella.

glamour of theatre. The dream starts there for many, many children and that is why I am a ﬁrm believer in pantomime being traditional and sticking to the script so no-one loses track of the story while having lots of laughs at the same time.” But it’s not all work and no play for Sheila, and she has deﬁnite plans for her panto downtime. “I haven’t had a date in over 4 years and it would be nice to go out with a guy, so I’ve put dating in my itinerary. Who knows, someone might even appear at panto. After all, if the magic of true love can happen for Cinderella, why can’t it happen for the Fairy Godmother? That would be my wish.” So who knows, the magic of pantomime could even be enjoyed by this legendary soul diva!

Sheila admits she cannot wait to cast a spell over audiences and be the force of good in the production opposite an all-star cast headed by former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks heart-throb Matt Milburn . “It will be my ﬁfth time playing the Fairy Godmother when I come to Norwich. The fact I have been asked to play it so many times means I must bring something to it and also I really enjoy it because I love to make the children happy,” she said. But if you are expecting a traditional character, you may be in for a surprise. Sheila is aiming to put her own stamp on the character. She said: “I do a very sassy in-your-face Fairy Godmother. The children know they had better not mess with me!” Making sure younger members of the audience fall in love with the theatre is something that she takes very seriously when it comes to playing a pantomime part. Sheila explained: “Often it is the ﬁrst time children are introduced to the stage, and the costumes and

Cinderella runs from Tuesday 17th December to Sunday 19th January. Tickets £5.50 - £20.50 Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01603 630 000 or Book Online

www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

N C b t o ok hris ook akin w g y t i di ou ma ngs sa rs s f o p pp no a r oi w rtie nt to s m a en vo t id

Out & About

Restau Ra nt

The Perfect Location for Superb Food • Special Events • Conference & Meetings Small Weddings • Accommodation

Using seasonal locally sourced fresh produce every time. Norwich Road, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2JX www.sherbourne-house.co.uk t. 01953 454363

GREAT DAYS OUT WITH Sat 04 Jan Harry Potter - Warner Bros. Studio Sat 04 Jan Houses of Parliament Sun 05 Jan Disney on Ice Wed 08 Jan Matilda - Cambridge Theatre Sat 11 Jan London Boat Show - ExCel Wed 15 Jan France/Belgium via Eurotunnel Sat 18 Jan Westfield Stratford Shopping Wed 22 Jan Wicked - Apollo Victoria Theatre Wed 29 Jan From Here to Eternity - Shaftesbury Fri 31 Jan Beyond El Dorado - British Museum

£57 £45 £65 £70 £40 £52 £25 £55 £70 £35

Prices includes admission; senior/child prices may apply

For more details, please call 01603 679010 Book online: www.chenerylive.co.uk 3 Castle Meadow, Norwich, NR1 3PY

NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

See full programme online or ask for a booklet today

@CheneryLive Like us on Facebook

Localal FFood delivered to your door!

n Norfolk we are fortunate to have a diverse range of food and drink producers, from farmers producing our basic food supplies to chefs and restaurants creating culinary delights. There are many ways to sample and purchase our lovely local produce, from farm shops and food festivals to farmers markets. But sometimes these are not accessible to everyone and it’s tempting to take the easy option and head to the supermarket instead. Don’t do it! One very easy way to support and buy local is to use a local veg box scheme. A veg box provides a great opportunity to purchase fresh, local, seasonal produce and have

it delivered direct to your door. With some veg box schemes you receive a set value box that contains seasonal produce. Other schemes allow you to tailor the box to your own requirements.

With Christmas fast approaching many people are thinking about their Christmas food shopping with dread. Take the stress out of Christmas food shopping with a special Christmas veg box or hamper. Although the term ‘veg box’ Christmas hampers are a brilliant suggests only veg, many veg box way to sample the produce suppliers can also available within the local food provide meat and network. Typically they BE LO dairy options CAL, B contain the usual selection U Y too. LOCA Sup of pickles and chutneys but L busin port loca l esses often include things you in comm o unity ur are unlikely to think that are produced locally. If you’re struggling to fi find nd a gift for that hard to buy for relative, a hamper makes a perfect present too!

NoRFoLK Veg Box

With thanks to Richard at Norfolk Veg Box

fro Veg m on box ly es £7 .50

Local fresh produce Delivered to your door for free Christmas hampers available - the perfect gift! for details or to place an order call

01953 457393 | 07712 443463 info@norfolkvegbox.co.uk | www.norfolkvegbox.co.uk

Call us today to book your Christmas delivery 19

Out & About

Do you know someone

who runs a local business and could benefit from more customers?

Village People can help!

For all your computer Repairs & Servicing

o you

We come t

Tel: 01508 579020 info@teknik-computers.co.uk www.teknik-computers.co.uk

Call 0330 660 0325 for a friendly chat “Outstanding” Independent Schools Inspectorate… An independent, co-educational day and boarding school for ages 5 -18

OPEN DAYS

Held throughout the year - see our website for forthcoming dates or call us to arrange a mutually convenient time to visit

Christmas Craft Fair Thursday December 5th from 6pm in aid of Big C, Norfolk’s Cancer Charity

Richard Durrant in Concert Wednesday December 11th 7.00pm

One of the world’s most accomplished and experimental players

Guitarist Magazine

The New Eccles Hall School Quidenham, Nr Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2NZ Tel: 01953 887 217 admin@neweccleshall.com www.neweccleshall.com

WANT TO PLAY DRUMS? Some reasons to come and learn at

LASCELLES RHYTHM SCHOOL

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Long-established teaching studio Acoustic and electronic kits Qualified, experienced professional teachers All styles, All ages, All levels For fun and for exams (100% pass rate) Play with other band instruments Private or small group lessons.

For more info call: 01508 571451 or 0797 675 4474

Gift vouchers make a great present

SENIOR SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS Available for September 2014 Academic • Boarding • Creative • Sport Call 01603 810390 for further details.

Mums The Word

MIDDLETONS STEAKHOUSE & GRILL Middletons SteakHouse & Grill •11-15 Timberhill • Norwich • NR1 3JZ • 01603 920397

www.middletons-shg.co.uk

Carrie Barrett lives in Blo Norton, near Diss, right on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, with her husband and two children Maisie (10) and Olly (6). She has been dining out and about in our area for many years, seeking out restaurants that offer great value, quality and above all else are child friendly. If you would like Carrie to visit a particular pub or restaurant just get in touch with us at village people and we’ll ask her to visit.

ow many times have you been shopping in Norwich and at a loss for somewhere to eat that isn’t a pizza and pasta chain, or a department store café, or noodle bar? As with most high streets in the UK, it’s the big chains that usually take pride of place in our towns and cities.

At a loss for somewhere to head to one Saturday afternoon, I decided to try Middletons. I had been recommended this place to try by several friends, so we decided to give it a go. The ﬂedging restaurant is tucked away yet still right in the heart of the shopping area. We visited on a busy Saturday but luckily I had used their booking online facility which was so easy and straightforward, and we were shown straight to our table.

We ordered from the set menu and both chose the beef tomato and goat’s cheese salad, followed by the minute steak with fries and salad. We found the food not only great value, but also absolutely delicious! My husband had the Eton mess, which was generous, fresh and fruity! The children’s meals are incredibly good value too. At £4.95 for 2 courses, this makes eating out for a family much more affordable. My only criticism is that the menu is slightly limited for children, despite being well priced. Having said that, both of my children were happy with the options of battered haddock, chicken nuggets, Middleton’s burger or meatballs. The main course comes with one side of their choice (apart from the meatballs), and not only is ice-cream offered as a pudding, but Eton mess and chocolate brownie too!

The staff were very welcoming and answered all questions I had, very attentive and above all else, seemed extremely happy in their work. The menu is extensive, very well priced and includes a lunch special for £9.95 for 3 courses, £8.95 for 2 courses or £6.95 for 1. You even have the option of adding a glass of house wine for £2! Even if you are not a huge carnivore there are lots of ﬁsh, shellﬁsh and vegetarian options available. You can even treat yourself to lobster thermidor or whole grilled lobster if you so wish. All the food, including the children’s dishes, are homemade using fresh local ingredients. Most of the desserts are homemade in house, and the rest are made locally.

We are now trying to find an excuse to go back with adults only, as upstairs there are tables that could easily cater for a large party or group of friends. The décor is modern and glamorous, with a really buzzing atmosphere, which I can imagine in the evening is even more enhanced.

Village Notice Board EE MOTRTANBINLEG F F O C S A TM IS R CH CRAF 0 PM CHILDRENS WITH A

M - 12.3 BER • 10.30A 14TH DECEM AY RD TU RPE SA SWAINSTHO ITY CENTRE, N U M M CO ly ST PETERS ill include love sale, which w rs of on be be em ill m w m ts cakes fro Refreshmen home-made ainsthorpe Group) of Sw ea Id ct je ro (P P.I.G. ristmas Ch for a warm and visit us come - free admission g on al e m Co wel

AL CAROL TRADITION E ROUND TH SINGING A S TREE CHRISTMA

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Fr iends of W ort ham C hurch annual Victorian C

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mas Market Outside the Post Offi ce & Tea Shop 6th December be tween 4 & 7pm A wonderful variet y of stalls selling gif ts, crafts, cakes and much. Ne w games and memb ers of the Wortham & Burgate Twinning Associat ion selling delicious Fre nch crepes. The Tea Shop will be open for teas, coffe es, mince pies and mu lled wine; there is also a hot dog stall, Tombola & Raﬄe Entertainment pro vided from local sin gers of Discord, carol singin g by the local prima ry school children & music fro m Jonny Ling’s fairgr ound organ And of course Fathe r Christmas who wi ll arrive on his beautifully de corated sleigh For all the latest inf ormation just search for Friends of Wortham Church on Facebo ok

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List your local event for FREE on our Village Notice Board Email details to Lily at editor@village-people.info 22

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An invitatio Stradbroke & Di n from strict The Royal Britis Branch of h Legion To join with the m, by kind inv itatio

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6pm

To com 100th anniversa memorate the: ry of the start 70th anniversa ry of the D-Day of the WW1 Landings WW 11

War and Peac e

The staff at the

C o-operat ive Travel Diss

Guest speaker

General The L ord Dannatt, GCB, CBE, M C, DL

are giving Santa a helping hand by co llecting a suitcase full of gif ts and toys for a sp ecial delivery to the children at the Quidenham Ho spice.

Also taking part : TRBL County Pastor Adam Blow Padre - Rev. Richard Stretch es Pipe Major - Ben Minister Horham Baptist Chu rch Langley, Jude Mills Standards of The Royal British Leg Cornet ion

They will have the suitcase in the Diss branch until the 16th of De cember. Please po p in with your BRAND NEW unwrapped gift. Any queries contac t the branch on

In the spirit of giving gift wrapped Ch , please bring a small ristmas prese nt for a serviceman's wife at AAC Wattisha m

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Decem Sunday 22nd

to 3.45pm

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01379 640227

walkers ince pies for drinks with m t anting o w h g st in ju e rv Se or anyon te si an m Ro stive feel. enjoying the chat with a fe a drink and a and anyone starts at 4pm in us Carol service welcome to jo attending is and h re fo be ts en for refreshm

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Winter Recipe In the ﬁrst of a new series of recipes for Village People, Jeremy Parke, the head chef at Relish Restaurant in Newton Flotman, shows us how to make a warming Scottish dish using local East Anglian ingredients.

CullenServesSkink 6

INGREDIENTS

20g unsalted butter 2 pints of fresh fish stock if possible if not stock cubes 2 banana shallots, finely chopped 100g leeks, white only, finely chopped 2 medium garlic cloves, crushed and finely chopped 200g potatoes, boiled until tender 750g smoked haddock, skin and bones removed - we recommend Cley Smokehouse 100ml whole milk 100ml double cream Freshly ground black pepper One egg per person If you are not vegetarian: Rushall Farm Shop homemade black pudding

1. Put a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the butter and, when melted, add the shallots, leek and garlic. Cover and sweat for 5-10 minutes, but don’t allow the vegetables to colour. 2. Add the cooked potatoes and the smoked haddock. Cover and sweat for a further two minutes. 3. Add the ﬁsh stock and season with freshly ground pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer for 8 -10 minutes. 4. Take the pan off the heat and allow to cool slightly. Then carefully pour the mixture into a blender and put on the lid. Take the stopper out of the hole in the lid and cover with a tea towel so it doesn’t cover your kitchen in Cullen. 5. Blend for a few seconds then gradually add the milk and cream through the hole. Blend until the mixture is smooth. 6. In a frying pan of hot oil add one thick slice of black pudding per person, around 1cm, and fry for a couple of minutes until warmed through. 7. Poach an egg per person so it’s still lovely and runny To serve: Spoon the Cullen into a dish, pop the slice of black pudding on top of the Cullen then rest the poached egg on top of the black pudding. Finish with a drizzle of peaty whisky. We love Talisker or Laphroaig, but if you want to use a local whisky try Chapter 11 from St George’s Brewery in Roudham, which is a perfect local alternative. You can find more of Jeremy’s recipes at www.dinewithrelish.com

Out & About

Finding Inspiration on the Isle of Skye Eight years ago our restaurant ethos was about supporting local, independent businesses, ensuring traceability, quality and seasonality.

ow, this ethos is important to many good restaurants as we see an increased demand from customers who are interested in the source of the ingredients they are eating. This autumn, we visited the Isle of Skye for inspiration and the trip only gave us more evidence that we should support independent suppliers and use local produce wherever we can. We were amazed to come across many

ruined crofts. These properties were part of self-sufficient villages where the inhabitants’ livelihoods depended on their land, cattle and craft. With the support of the government, greedy aristocratic land owners bullied the crofters from their homes so they could use the land for their own expanding businesses. This is known as the Highland clearances. Perhaps you could relate this historic event to the national supermarkets and chains of today, which seem to have the financial power to take over prime sites and undercut small, independent producers and retailers in many local high streets and rural areas. Standing in those eerie but thought-

provoking ruined settlements we could imagine what these crofters experienced whilst they watched their homes and business taken from them. This only made us more determined to support independent and local. We wrote our Taste of Skye menu during our stay on the island, inspired by the self-sufficient community and the mystical, barren beauty of the landscape. If you like the sound of our Skye inspired menu, some of our Scottish dishes will reappear for the Burns Night week. Book now to experience a taste of Scotland in Newton Flotman during the last week of January. www.dinewithrelish.com

T: 01508 470 548 E: enquiries@dinewithrelish.com Relish Restaurant and Bar, Old Street, Newton Flotman, Norwich, Norfolk NR15 1PD

C and J Soft furniShingS CYNTHIA HILL Tel 01508 470078 email cynthia.hill@homecall.co.uk info@candjsoftfurnishings.co.uk WE PROVIDE A BESPOKE CURTAIN, BLIND & SOFT FURNISHINGS MAKE UP SERVICE Friendly, professional, quality service with many years experience. Including alterations for bridal and occasion wear.

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WIN tickets to the best family show in town! WOW – we have a very festive prize on offer for one lucky Village People reader to win a family ticket to the Hippodrome’s Christmas Spectacular Circus & Water Show.

The Unique Hippodrome, known as East Anglia’s mini Albert Hall, is Britain’s only surviving TOTAL Circus Building, built in 1903 by the legendary Circus showman George Gilbert. Throughout the century the intimate arena has played host to an incredible variety of entertainment, from amazing water spectacles and stage variety shows to cinema and cine variety and even wartime use as a military practice shooting range! Apart from always presenting the very best in Circus, Lloyd George held political rallies here, Lily Langtry sang, Little Titch clowned, Max Miller joked and Houdini escaped. The world’s ﬁnest clowns and circus personalities performed and ALL experienced the Hippodrome’s unique atmosphere. It’s likely that even Charlie Chaplin performed here as a child actor before ﬁnding fame in America!

WIN To be in with a chance of winning a family ticket to the show simply email us with the subject ‘Circus’ including your name, address and daytime telephone number:

competition@village-people.info Closing date for entries is 13th December and the winner will be chosen at random. Usual Village People rules apply. The Christmas Spectacular runs from 14th December to 12th January 2014 and you can book tickets online or by calling the box office on 01493 844172

1 CHILD FREE PER FULL PAYING ADULT

This voucher is available for any 5.30 or 6.30 show beTween14 December 2013 anD 12 January 2014 only.

It is not valid with concessions or in conjunction with any other offer or against any tickets already purchased.This voucher must be declared at time of purchase and presented at time of collection of tickets. This offer can not be booked online.

Latest Film Releases

This issue, our resident film buff, Ian Kemsley from Suffolk, previews three winter releases and looks forward to the Oscars in February

47 Ronin

The Wolf of Wall Street

Keanu Reeves’ latest blockbuster is named after a real group of samurai warriors in 18th century Japan who set out to avenge the murder of their master. Reeves is the only westerner in the cast, and is joined by Rinko Kikuchi, Oscar-nominated for her role in Babel (2006). Reeves is a martial arts nut and made his directorial debut last year with the Hong Kong movie Man of Tai Chi. After a few lacklustre indie projects it’s nice to see him return to his Matrix star persona - I bet he is ‘the One’ again. It’s directed by first timer Carl Rinsch, and co-written by Chris Morgan of Fast and Furious fame, which may or may not be a recommendation...

Leonardo DiCaprio, one of America’s finest screen actors (and yet to win an Oscar), returns in Martin Scorsese’s drama about financial crime, corruption and scandal. I much prefer Scorsese’s larger scale dramatic films of the last decade to his earlier, over-praised gangster movies. DiCaprio has graced most of them Gangs of New York, The Aviator, the Oscar-winning The Departed and the superb thriller Shutter er Island - and manages to combine real acting with star charisma. Based on a true life story this co-stars Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey, with support from Joanna Lumley. Rumour has it that The Wolf of Wall Street could be in for Oscar success, but whether or not the Academy is watching – you should be!

Release: 26th December

Release: 17th January

The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug Opinion is split - just like the story - about whether Peter Jackson’s massive three film adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s novel is justified. After the success of his Lord of the Rings trilogy, at a combined length of over 11 hours, Jackson argues that similar treatment for the much shorter and slighter prequel is also necessary. I am in the doubters’ camp, but if you fancy a return to Middle Earth to cheer the dark winter days, then this one will be for you. Three more hours of fantasy, special effects and mostly British actors, with Holmes and Watson duo Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the evil dragon Smaug (and the Necromancer) and Martin Freeman returning as the newly heroic Bilbo. It’s a super story, and would have made an excellent one or two films, but three? New Line Cinema are undoubtedly wringing the source material for every ounce of box office gold and perhaps risk a Smaug-like fate for their greed…up to you. Release: 13th December

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                                                 

                

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Top Tips How do you choose the best mattress for you A

mattress that is supportive and comfortable is important but, remember, your requirement for support will differ depending on your weight and build. Finding a bed which provides the right support and comfort level for you can be tricky, so here are our top tips for finding the perfect mattress:

1. Ask for help! The key to finding the right mattress is with help from an expert. Mattress specialists are able to advise you on what mattresses may be suitable for you. Trying every mattress in store can make them all feel similar. Internet

research can be misleading and will not help you make an informed decision. 2. Give yourself time and don’t forget your partner! Give yourself plenty of time, over the next 7 years you will spend over 2 years in bed. You cannot buy a mattress in 10 minutes. Remember if you sleep together, shop together. 3. Dress Appropriately To make an informed decision, you need to wear loose clothing so you can turn easily and get in and out of bed easily, so you get the best feeling of how your new mattress will feel at home.

4. Size Matters It’s scientifically proven that the bigger bed you have, the better you will sleep. Partner disturbance is the biggest reason for broken sleep. Distance yourself! How do you know if you need to replace your bed? Is your bed over 7 years old? Do you wake in the morning with a painful back or stiff limbs? l Can you feel the springs beneath the surface of the mattress? l Do you and your partner ‘roll’ into each other? If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, then it could be time to invest in a new bed! l l

With thanks to Andrew Bright at Sound Sleep Beds. If you run a business and would like to offer your top tips, then get in touch with us on 0330 660 0325 or office@village-people.info.

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Travellers’ Tales In the last of the series of five articles, Sarah Doig dips into Rural Rides by William Cobbett, a politician and journalist who toured the region in 1821.

fter a diversion, in the last issue, to a view of the region though French eyes, I end the series with another Englishman’s view on East Anglia. William Cobbett was the son of a Surrey farmer and innkeeper who, after a spell in the army, became a political journalist. He saw himself as a champion of traditional rural society against the change brought about by the industrial revolution. In the 1820s, Cobbett was a radical anti-Corn Law campaigner and embarked on a series of journeys by horseback through the English countryside. His observations, from the point of view of both farmer and social reformer, were published in book form in two volumes under the title “Rural Rides”. “There is nothing in Essex, Suffolk, or this country [Norfolk] that can be called a hill.”

all placed on the highest spots to be found near where they stand; and, it is curious enough, that the contrary practice should have prevailed in hilly counties, where they are generally found in valleys and in low, sheltered dells, even in those valleys! “These churches prove that the people of Norfolk and Suffolk were always a superior people in point of wealth, while the size of them proves that the country parts were, at one time, a great deal more populous than they now are.” William Cobbett spent most of his time in Norfolk. He visited Norwich (“a very ﬁne city”) where he saw the market and the once grand corn exchange in St Andrew’s Hall. His lasting impression of the farming in the region was more than favourable:

This is how Cobbett starts his Suffolk and Norfolk journal. I don’t think anyone can disagree with this observation! Whilst he clearly did not find much to recommend Essex, he continues: “It was not till I got nearly to Sudbury that I saw much change for the better. Sudbury has some fine meadows near it on the sides of the river Stour. The land all along to Bury Saint Edmund’s is very fine; but no trees worth looking at. The farming all along to Norwich is very good. The land clean, and everything done in a masterly manner.” Cobbett’s shrewd comments on the state of the region in the nineteenth century compared with earlier centuries also ring true: “The churches are generally large and the towers lofty. They have all been well built at first. They are almost

“Went from Norwich to London during the day, carrying with me great admiration of and respect for this county of excellent farmers, and hearty, open and spirited men. The Norfolk people are quick and smart in their motions and in their speaking. Very neat and trim in all their farming concerns, and very skilful. “Their land is good, their roads are level, and the bottom of their soil is dry, to be sure; and these are great advantages; but they are diligent, and make the most of everything. Their management of all sorts of stock is most judicious; they are careful about manure; their teams move quickly; and, in short, it is a county of most excellent cultivators.” Sarah Doig offers a family, house & local history research service (www.ancestral-heritage.co.uk)

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Christmas Jottings from Ken Shh! a little bird tells me that Father Christmas is coming... So you better watch out, you better take care he can’t leave the presents if the tree isn’t there. For where can he put them if there’s no green bough to lay parcels beneath for that big Christmas ‘wow’! Now Santa is fussy, he likes only the best so buy locally-grown to ensure the tree’s fresh. With soft tactile needles that stay on the tree a beautiful Nordmann is the choice it should be.

To all our customers, suppliers & competitors, have a Magical Christmas & a Wonderful New Year!

We have tall ones & short ones, some fat & some thin, I’m sure we’ll have one that you can fit in to your hallway or corner, maybe a room with a view, in front of the window, whatever suits you. Always choose early for a shape that is great you want to be proud of your green festive mate. As all trees are unwrapped & none are the same it makes choosing so easy, a pleasure not pain. Now you’ve selected, it’s through the machine that neatly re-nets it to make transport a dream. Once home it will slip through your wreath-adorned door a process so simple, need I say more? Slide into a stand that’ll keep its feet wet place into position, & lift off the net. Decorate & cover with warm sparkly lights & your tree will look stunning on cold frosty nights. If you think chopping down trees is a little bit mean a new one will be planted, where that one has been. So visit us now, our trees don’t cost the earth, we wish you a Christmas filled with merriment & mirth!

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Ask The Experts

his issue we chatted to Smart Garden Oﬃces, a wellestablished, independent company in Suffolk, which has been creating purpose-built garden oﬃce buildings since 2001.

construction system, so the buildings are solid and robust with a great looking ﬁnish. They’re also designed to come under planning regulations – one less thing to worry about!

Can a garden studio/office be used in the winter? Yes, if you choose one from Smart Garden Oﬃces! Our purposebuilt garden buildings are snug, comfortable and secure throughout the year, whatever the weather. They are double-glazed and fully insulated to be warm in the winter (and cool in the summer!)

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New ways to save money on your heating A s the autumn turns to winter our thoughts turn to keeping warm. Many people worry about rising oil prices but may not be aware of new options for people facing the challenges of rural heating costs.

technology potential customers are understandably cautious about making the significant investment. But the savings that can be made on heating bills when compared with oil, LPG or electric heating are substantial.

Air and ground source heat pumps are a relatively new type of heating which could save you money. In spring 2014, the Government are launching an incentive scheme which will offer a payback to home owners who install a renewable heating or hot water system.

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In fact, heat pumps are not new and are commonly used in Scandinavia and on the continent. For many people the most suitable product to replace their oil boiler will be an air source heat pump which sits outside the property and produces

heat via a process which is like a refrigerator working in reverse.

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WOODLAND CONTRACTOR 44

Stay warm this winter with a wood burning stove

e know that lots of Village People readers live in the countryside, where wood-burning stoves are a popular way to keep warm and cosy during winter. Village People spoke to Karen Richardson from Raven Stoves to get her top tips on choosing the right stove for your home. “Using wood as a fuel makes sense,” says Karen. “It’s not just an environmentally friendly way to heat your home it makes economic sense too. “Technical issues of installing a stove are easy to solve and these days you don’t even need a chimney! What matters is the choice of stove.” Karen says there are four main points to consider when choosing a stove:

Reliability: Stoves should be designed to last, using only the best materials and state of the art manufacturing. Look out for a stove with a 5 or 10 year manufacturer’s guarantee to make sure you are buying a reliable stove. Efficiency: Your stove should have the latest clean burn technology which ensures maximum warmth is generated while limiting emissions.

colours and ﬁnishes. Think about the size of the glass door so that you can enjoy the view of the ﬁre burning. Remember – a stove can be the focal point of a room and as individual as you are!

Easy to use: You want simple controls, glass that stays clean, door handles that stay cold and minimum mess in both the stove and your home. Ask the person who installs your stove to demonstrate how to use it. Attractive: No one needs to have a “black box”. There’s a huge range of beautifully designed stoves available, in many different shapes,

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East Anglia & Suffolk 46

ARE YOU WORRIED

About security at home?

Never leave a padlock open with the code numbers on show as the code can be written down and used later on when in use l Try to chain ladders, bikes and large items like wheelbarrows all together; this makes it harder to move one thing without a disturbance l

Intruders are always looking for easy opportunities, without the risk of confrontation, so something as simple as leaving a light on to give the impression that someone is at home is often enough to deter them.

ith the long summer now well behind us it makes sense to take a few moments to consider how safe your home is as these long winter nights provide an added cover of darkness under which thieves and burglars can operate.

We spoke to local security expert Peter George at Malthouse Security to get his top tips to help you step up the security of your property this winter. With 58% of intruder theft taking place in the evenings and the early hours, its makes sense to go ‘back to basics’ with your home security measures: Lock doors and windows every time you go out, even if its only a

short trip or walking the dog Use all the locks that are fitted to every door. If one of your locks is becoming hard to use, get it changed as soon as you can rather than not using it l Most double glazing has window locks but older windows can have extra security locks fitted l Never leave keys in the windows or doors or leave car keys on show in your house l

Timer switches can be fitted to operate lights and radios can be left on a talk station. The cost of leaving a light on or timed only costs a few pence in electricity and is certainly money well spent. If you are planning a holiday or a few days away from home it’s a good idea to tell your neighbour and ask them to push any post all the way through your letterbox. And last but not least if you come home and your door is open or locked from the inside, walk away and call 999.

And don’t forget about outside: Never leave keys outside under pots or mats as many crimes have been committed by just using a key found outside - don’t make it easy! l Always put ladders, steps and tools away in garages and sheds after use or use chains and padlocks to secure ladders if they are too big to store l

Home & Garden

      

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estate agency? House Revolution provides excellent estate agency for half the cost or less than the high street! Remember, this is not online estate agency where essential elements can be either missing or cost extra. Simply put, we are a modern, low-cost business. Let me put it another way, what if another essential but costly item in your life suddenly became not just half price but also had no catch, small print or compromise? Let’s say you jump in your car and drive to your favourite supermarket. When you get there you grab one of the really big trolleys and start your monthly shop. Don’t hold back now, really go for it. Head to the ‘ﬁnest’range and then the smoked salmon aisle and then ﬁne wines and chocolate. It’s easy to see why we call ourselves ‘a new breed of estate agents’. New pricing, new values and new methods!

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Fill that trolley with the best items and brands you know and trust. When you’ve ﬁnished and all the items have been through the checkout imagine how happy you would be if the ﬁnal bill was just half the amount!

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Make your own Glamorous Christmas Ornaments Rather than buy new ornaments for your tree, why not make your own? This issue, our crafty lady Caroline explains how she made her own decorations from a broken chandelier. You could use anything sparkly which you’ve found at a charity shop or car boot, or even in your home!

This year, rather than buy some new ornaments for the tree, I thought I would up-cycle a chandelier I found in a local charity shop. Some of the crystals were missing so I couldn’t use it as it was.

2. I decided what length and colour of ribbon I needed and proceeded to cut enough ribbon for all of the crystals so they were all the same length. 3. I then proceeded to tie the ribbon onto my first crystal…

1. I removed the crystals I needed from the chandelier and cleaned them using steam and a clean cloth, as I didn’t want to affect the wire that held the crystals together.

… and was rather happy with the result! After tying all of the ribbons onto all of the crystals, I dressed my Christmas tree.

You will need… • Old chandelier or some old jewellery • Ribbon • Scissors

I now have a rather sparkly and glamorous tree for an extremely reasonable price. The woolly baubles were a gift to me from one of the lovely Crafty Ladies of Wymondham, Shelley MarshallNichols. You can find out more about the Crafty Ladies of Wymondham on their Facebook page.

Merry Christmas & a Crafty New Year Caroline is a member of the Crafty Ladies of Wymondham. You can find them on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

WIN a fantastic Hamper perfect for Christmas! We’ve teamed up with the owner of Jack’s Norfolk Hampers to offer three lucky Village People readers the chance to WIN a classic hamper from the newly established Norfolk company created by Jack Firman. To be in with a chance of winning a classic hamper simply answer this question correctly and email your answer with the subject ‘Hamper’, with your name, address and daytime telephone number to

competition@village-people.info Q: Where did Jack grow up? A - Hampstead B - Norfolk C - Durham Closing date for entries is Wednesday 18th December and the 3 winners will be chosen at random. Usual Village People rules apply.

Jack’s Norfolk Hampers can be bought online at

www.jacksnorfolkhampers.co.uk

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Using over 20 unique food and drink producers from around the county, ranging from homemade fudge, to smoked salmon and chutneys, Jack’s Norfolk Hampers sells a range of hampers, based around the principles of high quality local food. Owner Jack Firman explained “Growing up in Norfolk I saw the great range of food and drink being produced here, I started Jack’s Norfolk Hampers as a way to bring this delicious produce together in one easy place.” Containing plenty of local produce and packaged in their distinctive traditional wicker hampers, Jack explains “Our hampers are perfect gifts for food love both those living lovers, in the county who are alr already aware of the gr great food produced her as well as those here, fur further afield who simply enjoy great gr food and drink.”

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Home & Garden

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*Available on selected plots subject to status, terms and conditions and using a Persimmon-nominated solicitor and/or financial adviser as necessary. Persimmon cannot advise you on a mortgage. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE, YOUR EQUITY LOAN OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. For full terms and conditions of all schemes featured visit www.persimmonhomes.com/offers. Imagery depicts a Persimmon house type and showhome interior and is for guidance only. † Calls cost 5p/minute from a BT landline and may cost considerably more from mobile and other phones. Contact your service provider for more details. All information correct at time of going to press.

REFRESHING WATERS

A life-changing African Adventure

ather of four, Toby Stanwell-Smith, is a church youth worker who is devoted to telling youngsters about the one who made a constant play for his life and lifted him from reckless living. “I was as stubborn as a rock and God had to nudge me time and again to get me to take notice but I thank him every day for it,” says Toby, who was once a bored teenager who got his kicks from drugs, parties and the dance scene. Toby organised the raves and was involved in the world of drugs but to quench his thirst for adventure he planned a trip to South Africa. He toured the country with his girlfriend in a refitted camper van on a six month life-changing trip that began when Toby, at 19, used his earnings as a used car sales man and some inheritance money. “I wasn’t looking for anything; I was happy with life and had a place at my chosen university. Africa was a chance to explore but God chose to pursue me and show me that there was more to my life and what living life to the full really means,” says Toby.

times,” says the member of Hope Community Church, Wymondham . One particular camp site was a resting place for a few weeks when the van’s alternator bearings exploded and were beyond Toby’s repair. The stay was timely. Toby and girlfriend Hannah, who had partially slipped away from her Christian faith, met an international speaker and evangelist who arrived at the camp with a team of students. “We chatted and spent the next few days hanging out together. I could see they had a deep joy and peace. They talked openly about Jesus and several of them had turned from a life like mine and never looked back.” Toby was given a bible. “I was asked to read a little and make a decision of my own rather than follow the crowd.” A month later, he and Hannah drove countless miles across dirt roads to the evangelist’s training school in Cape Town just as the van that had taken them on their epic travels finally died.

Jesus had died for me and life is more than we see around us. There is life after death and only Jesus can be trusted with our eternity. I gave my heart and life to my Saviour and was baptised a week before flying home to England.” Toby returned to education but renounced his old ways. Instead he became involved with the Christian Union leadership and helped to lead a mission trip to Rwanda before marrying his friend and Christian partner, Hannah. “I am not perfect, I am still learning and there have been hard times since becoming a Christian but they are far outweighed by my faith,” says Toby.

“I spent every night talking to guys about their faith. It took that long for me to ask all my questions but I finally realised that not only was it true but I needed to do something.

When the camper van continually broke down, he made contact with Christians who had found joy and purpose. They included ex-ravers; a heavily tattooed ex-pimp and a hit-man turned evangelist. Try as he might to ignore them Toby no longer saw these meetings as coincidences. “We met a lot of Christians who had amazing stories to tell and I could see there was something they had that I didn’t. It happened so many

Discover some hidden treasures this winter As nature hunkers down and the days shorten, the natural world begins preparations for the next year. Yet there are still winter treasures to be found, even if there is less daylight to ﬁnd them in.

own on the ground are some specialist winter fungi to look out for. Field blewit can be found on verges and other grassy areas, well into December. Its other name of blue–legs is an apt description for underneath a pale creamytan cap they do indeed have bright indigo blue stems.

Field Blewits

Velvet shank with its slimy orange cap should be obvious even in the wintry gloom, yet growing on dead tree stumps it’s still easily overlooked. This species is also known as the Winter mushroom and is well named as it can occur through to February, surviving being completely frozen to drop more spores when it thaws out again. Surprisingly this is also the Enoki Mushroom much cultivated in Japan; where it is grown under darkness in glass jars to produce a spindly cream fruit body far removed from its wild form.

Velvet Shank

tightly clasped hands generate an imitation sound good enough to bring curious owls within a few feet. However if you can’t make the noise – don’t despair – it’s still a great way to warm up your hands!

Misletoe

Meanwhile up in the tree canopy mistletoe becomes more visible as leaves drop away around it. Sort after by the ancient druids, but only to be harvested with a golden sickle as Pliny the roman author and natural philosopher tells it; mistletoe still has an air of enchantment about it. Defying the winter damp and chill with its bright verdant foliage and pearly white berries, in stark contrast to the bare empty boughs where it perches. Small wonder the plant has long been associated with virility persisting to this day with its use as a festive decoration and in the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. However the life cycle of the plant is somewhat more sinister as it’s actually parasitic on its host and is most commonly found on apple and lime trees.

Less often seen but frequently heard during the long dark evenings are tawny owls. Their distinctive ‘tweets’ and ‘woos’ forming an eerie chorus ﬂoating across the still winter nights. You might like to try your hand at talking to the owls; some people can, blowing through

Other natural treasures more on show as darkness comes early are the stars, constellations and meteors in the night sky. December and January are the best months to see the northern hemisphere’s most distinctive groups of stars, the constellation of Orion the hunter. There are two particularly bright stars in the group; Betelgeuse, a reddish star found at the top left of the constellation and Rigel, a bluewhite star down to the lower right. The three stars in the belt of Orion point the way down to Sirius, which is the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius is also known as the dog star as it’s the main object in the constellation of Canis major (the great dog) which straddles the equator being visible in the north hemisphere for half the year and in the south for the other half. The Geminids meteor shower can be a spectacular sight during early December (reaching its maximum on the 13th) with up to 100 meteors per hour. If you miss that particular shooting star show there’s another one, the Quadrantids in January (with its maximum on 4th) proving that ﬁreworks in the sky have been present long before the invention of gun powder. Jon Tyler (wildforwoods.co.uk)

Home & Garden

Long-time resident David Fairhall explores a landscape that has inspired some of the greatest English painters. He follows gentle rivers that reach far inland from a coastline of marsh, sand and shingle, through fenland and farmland, to rural villages where the past is always present. It is a treasure trove of local history, endearing wildlife, fascinating architecture and friendly pubs, this book is written for newcomers and visitors interested in the waterside.

East Anglia Shores David Fairhall Bloomsbury Paperback 9781472903402 £12.99

Here is a sympathetic, but not uncritical account of her life in Norfolk. Through all her family problems and dealings with her often unsatisfactory publishers, she wrote and wrote and her sense of humour never left her. We see a character with many contradictions, both feminist and conservative, anti clerical but conventionally church-going, sympathetic to her farm workers but opposed to union agitation. A good, honest biography.

BOOKS

MEMa biography of Mary Mann Marion Aldis and Pamela Inder Larks Press Paperback 9781904006695 £10

Francis, the younger brother of Adrian Bell, author of many books on rural Suffolk life, was not known as a writer, yet the hidden cache of journals and photos he kept of his time in Argentina and his later diaries on his return to Suffolk in 1935 tell a quite different story. Poignant, funny and historically interesting this biography, woven with diary extracts, brings together local people’s memories, their own working days and the times they lived in.

Short Straw

Jennifer Anne Bell Larks Press Paperback 9781904006688 £10

Desert Snow Helen Lloyd

Take-On-Creative Paperback 9780957660601 £9.99

By daring to follow a dream and not letting fear prevail, Helen cycled across the Sahara, Sahel and the tropics of West Africa, paddled down the Niger river in a pirogue , hitch-hiked to Timbuktu and spent three months traversing the Congo. Over two years, Helen takes you on a journey of misadventures and marriage proposals; encounters with hippos, snakes, spiders, a lion and a Lost Cyclist. A world away and yet not so different at all.

Masterpieces – Art & East Anglia

iew your region from

Edited by Ian Collins East Publishing Hardback £35 9780946009633

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fascinating selection of local titles from Roy Futter of Jarrolds Book Department.

East Anglia was a distinctive English region during the Middle Ages, but it was one that owed much of its character and identity to its place in a much wider “North Sea World”. This collection of essays discusses this maritime framework, exploring the extent to which there was a community bound together by the shared frontier of the North Sea. A range of international scholars contribute from the disciplines of history, archaeology, art history and literary studies.

The stunning legacy of the Romans and Anglo-Saxons is well known and the region has an immensely rich and high-proﬁle heritage of ecclesiastical art and architecture. In this broader view are exceptional works by ceramicists and goldsmiths, shawl-makers and silk-weavers, engravers and chair-makers, by product designers and engineers. Each work, as revealed in a short essay by an expert in the ﬁeld, is a masterpiece in its own right.

East Anglia and its North Sea World in the Middle Ages David Bates & Robert Liddiard Boydell Press Hardback 978143838463 £60

Shopping

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                       

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Shopping

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Enjoy over 80 fantastic shops, cafés and restaurants in the heart of Norwich open until 8pm* throughout December (9pm on Thursdays). With so much choice that’s Christmas wrapped up!

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Health & Beauty

pilates for everyone We are a neW Pilates studio in station lane, HetHersett

We offer beginners and intermediate matwork and apparatus classes in small groups for individual attention. We also work with a range of conditions from sports injury to frozen shoulder, back pain, osteoporosis, pregnancy and more. Please call 07958 270 864 for class times and prices.

Nutts About Pilates Established since 2008

Pilates classes in South Norfolk Build your inner ‘core’ strength, feel fitter and help how you move, exercise and work.

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Small, friendly classes for men and women at Hempnall, Keswick and Rockland St Mary.

For details go to www.nuttsaboutpilates.co.uk or call Carin on 01603 503718 carinnutt@btconnect.com

Monday 9.30am Recreation Road Sports Centre Thursday 6.30pm Bignold Primary School Friday 6.00pm Eaton Park Community Centre Only £5 per class

Call Lucia 07776201645 Zumba Lucia

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Dance your way to fitness! Thurs - 7.30-8.15pm

Exercise is good for you!

There’s nothing new about that statement. As children we ran about outside and at school we might have been lucky enough to enjoy team sports. As adults we probably enjoy a more leisurely exercise such as walking or noncompetitive swimming. But with increasingly busy lives we quickly find that our free time has disappeared and often regular exercise gets left off the agenda.

Clinical trials are now revealing a significant link between regular everyday exercise and recovery from serious health issues. Cancer is the latest disease to benefit from this research with very positive outcomes for the patients involved. For the rest of us, the reality of entering our later life with less than perfect muscle fibre, reduced movement, bones with less density and bodies with less balance can be a worry. But this can be reversed to a significant degree with Pilates. Pilates is a gentle but effective form of exercise. Taken on a weekly basis this simple movement practice that almost anyone can do will leave you stronger and more supple with a positive sense of wellbeing.

Practicing small muscle group exercises will enable you to perform easy everyday tasks with the little effort you enjoyed in your younger years. Whether you are looking to maintain on-going physical health or looking for post-operative recovery, Pilates will encourage you back to confident health and wellbeing. There are a number of different Pilates classes to be enjoyed that take into consideration your age, ability and fitness levels. Pick up the phone to find the right one for you.

In good

HEALTH

With thanks to Elli at Regeneration Pilates. www.regenerationpilates.com

Time to get fit - Strictly Come Dancing style! It’s time to put on your dancing shoes, even if you can’t dance.

If you want to get fit, fast, lose those unwanted pounds and have more fun than you can believe doing it, here’s some great news for you. ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ dance stars Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite have teamed up with six time world champion swimmer Mark Foster, to produce a unique dance and fitness programme – ‘FitSteps’. They have combined, for the first time, the best known and most popular Latin and Ballroom dances with proven fitness techniques, to develop a dance/fitness programme that is capable of delivering fast fitness results, with a heap of fun thrown in! And for anyone who’s thinking, ‘But I can’t dance’ or ‘I don’t have anyone to dance with’, there’s no excuse – you don’t have to able to dance and you don’t need a partner! You just have to want to get fit and have fun.

Donna with Ian Waite

With thanks to local Fitsteps instructor, Donna, who runs classes in Long Stratton, Poringland and Saxlingham Nethergate. 07792 730172

Health & Beauty

Chandler Road, Stoke Holy Cross, Norwich, NR14 8RQ

Would you benefit from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy? We might be able to help you if you have the following condition:

◆ Lovely & warm 31 degrees ◆ Fully private half hour slots ◆ Up to 8 people ◆ Available every day from 6am until 10pm (15 mins changing time before & after each session in allocated changing rooms)

t: 01508 494161 e: swim@anchorage-pool.co.uk w: www.anchorage-pool.co.uk

Mangreen Time Share Pool Beautiful country setting close to Norwich. Enjoy having the 30°C pool to yourselves.

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Or e.mail chedgravemstherapycr@tiscali.co.uk Open10am to 3pm Wed, Thurs & Friday Chedgrave MS Therapy Centre

Lifeline Alarm Service Peace of mind at the touch of a button The Lifeline unit enables someone to call for help 24 hours a day. It comes with an emergency button and a variety of sensors to help people live independently at home.

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For a free trial swim call 01508 570444 or email trust@mangreen.co.uk Mangreen, nr Swardeston, Norwich (just off A140 nr Dunston Hall) Registered educational charity No 297985

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We specialise in the supply of carers and nursing staff to help meet the wide range of needs of children & young people, the elderly, infirm, sick or disabled. We offer anything from a simple one-hour visit right up to round-the-clock care.

Call now for more information: 01603 666 643

Q&A HEALTH Natural solutions for your health problems Q: A:

I lead a hectic lifestyle and tend to suffer from stress. Please! Help me to keep my cool!

Trish Stephenson from the Natural Food Store Norwich says, “When left to spiral out of control, stress can lead to a number of health complaints, such as muscle tension, sleeping disorders, nervous anxiety and mild depression.

But don’t let life get you down, fight back! Control your breathing. It may sound silly but most of us do not breathe properly, which can reduce our oxygen intake by up to a third and quicken our heartbeat unnecessarily. Italian research discovered that the optimum amount of breaths for a resting adult is 8 breaths per minute. This requires deeper abdominal breathing; your stomach should go out when you inhale and in when you exhale, and you should always try to breathe through your nose. By taking fewer but deeper breaths you will optimise your oxygen intake, helping you to relax and remain calm.

your career opportunity to gain a professional qualification via convenient weekend study

Exercise is also a great way of beating stress. Not only does it allow you to vent your frustration, it also causes the brain to produce more of the ‘happy hormones’ called endorphins. So, try to work up a sweat for at least 20 minutes a day. Eat a whole food diet containing lots of B vitamins or supplement regularly with a B Vitamin Complex tablet to support the nervous system and essential Magnesium Citrate to relax those tense muscles! Finally, herbal remedies can be very effective at combating stress. The Passiflora Complex from Bioforce combines Passiflora with Avena sativa, a traditional nerve tonic recognised for its restorative action on the nervous system and is a natural solution. Reassuringly this has no known side effects and does not interact with other medication.” www.shop-naturally.com

For more information, call or visit us online:

01603 665173

www.homeopathic-college.com • enquiries@homeopathic-college.com

achieve your own successful practice 65

Ancient Oriental Astrology

FOR A MODERN LIFE Here are my last forecasts for 2013 and the current yearly Ki cycle. You can find out your Ki Star at www.freeflow-fengshui.com. In February 2014 a new Ki year begins and I look forward to providing you with a taster of the year to come.

9 Fire Star You may feel the onus of a certain lingering responsibility needing your full attention in December. Be influential but not pushy. January however, brings a time for re-invention and a fresh outlook on a purely personal level – ideal for initiating beneficial New Year’s resolutions. 2014 is all about you!. 8 Earth Star Even though it’s nearing midwinter, you really must make the most of this time. You’ve planned and prepared enough; push ahead now and begin the creative process of materialisation. Pace yourself in January however, where you may experience a drain on your resources and energy. Support heads your way in 2014. 7 Metal Star Family matters may come to the fore in December as you feel a need to improve any relationships. Tenderness and empathy brings beneficial results. The ambiance of January however, fills you with new purpose and a buoyant determination. Fill your boots and get ready for a climb in 2014! 6 Metal Star Your career

receives your full attention and focus in December, as you feel productive and in the groove. There could be a moment of

hesitation in January however, as relationship matters ﬁnd you making a commitment one way or another. Keep a clear mind and a clear home at this time.

5 Earth Star

A surprise could be in store for you during December as something once hidden becomes exposed. While this is a highly sensitive time for you, there is a great chance that all your energy and skills will bring great rewards your way during 2014. It’s been a turbulent year, but hang on, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

4 Wood Star

Although you’ve had a pretty hectic year, one ﬁnal push is needed for December, but pay attention to your communication levels. Even though you may feel reluctant to celebrate you will feel upbeat and much more ﬁred up in January, where there is a surprise in store, a possible promotion or romantic involvement.

3 Wood Star

You are fully deserving of a break, and December provides you with just that. Take time out, recharge the batteries and reﬂect on what worked for you during the last year. January urges you to use this wisdom in a practical way, by changing tack if necessary, but do keep active on all levels; don’t stagnate.

2 Earth Star

You’ve been waiting a while now, for a moment of true clarity and insight, in order to ﬁnally make that important decision regarding your future. Use this improved focus wisely, but test the water ﬁrst. The pace picks up dramatically for you in 2014 and January will provide a moment of calm before the fun starts.

1 Water Star

Your relatively quiet year takes an interesting shift in December, as connectivity to all those around you bursts into life. You seem to have all the answers in January, where your conﬁdence and focus gains a new level of clarity, although be aware of any opinionated attitudes that may undermine this.

To discover your Ki Star and for more information about Ki Astrology please visit www.freeflow-fengshui.com David Walters DIP. CHIRO Follow me on:

@fengshuiflow

facebook.com/ninestarki

Health & Beauty ms o ro

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Set in beautiful gardens the Oasis is the perfect place to relax. Whether you are interested in our well-equipped gym, extensive class timetable or relaxing swim, sauna and steam there is something for everyone. From Aqua aerobics to Zumba we have many classes to suit you and your ﬁtness goals.

Why not come along an d try something new toda y? We have express classes of 30minutes to fit into your busy schedule as well as regular morning and evening classes seven days a week. We welcome non-members to come along to any classes for just £6. Located off Pound Lane in Thorpe we are just outside of the city in our peaceful location we are able to offer a wide range of facilities and memberships at competitive rates. Why not pop in for a coffee, a chat to a member of our team to find out more information.

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Jobs, Money & Business

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Smart Money Secrets

Plan ahead this Christmas and avoid a New Year ﬁnancial hangover

Andrew Hagger Money expert from www.moneycomms.co.uk

t’s easy to get carried away with your plastic in the run up to Christmas and end up getting yourself in a financial pickle come January.

couple of weeks in December – by buying just the absolute essentials, not only will it save you some cash, but it’ll help you make space for your Xmas turkey and all those extra seasonal goodies.

So this year, why not plan ahead to prevent the all too familiar stress and money worries that take the shine off your start to the New Year?

Have a good rummage through your kitchen cupboards and your freezer and make use of some of what you already have; I’m sure you’ll ﬁnd more than a couple of meals already there. Many of us have food buried at the bottom of the freezer that we’ve long since forgotten about so now’s an ideal time to use it up.

The first task is to draw up a budget of how much you can realistically afford to spend on presents, Christmas food and going out. If needs be you can spread the ﬁnancial burden by using a credit card offering 0% interest on purchases such as the Tesco Clubcard credit card which is interest free for 18 months. However, don’t get too carried away, as you don’t want to still be paying for the xmas pud, crackers and presents come next summer. One tried and tested money saving tip is to try and cut back on your food shopping during the ﬁrst

Another way to keep the cost down is to agree with friends and relatives that you’re going to cut down on the cost of Christmas this year – either by imposing a limit on the amount you’ll spend or perhaps agreeing to only buy for the children. Alternatively rather than spending money on presents, you could design and send your own practical

vouchers where you offer to give up your time to baby sit, provide a taxi service, clean the car or even walk the dog. It will cost you nothing but your time and a little creativeness. Basically if you can’t afford it, don’t buy on the basis that you don’t want to lose face or are trying to keep up with the Jones’s – you won’t thank yourself for it when your January and February salary is virtually wiped out just to cover your Christmas excesses. Remember, Christmas is not about expensive presents, it’s a rare opportunity to relax and spend some quality time with your friends and family, so have a good time but don’t get into debt over it – it’s really not worth it.

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Leaving money to charit y in your Will

hanges to inheritance tax law in April 2012 mean that leaving a gift to charity in your Will can ultimately beneﬁt both your local charity of choice as well as your nearest and dearest. East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) has to raise in the region of £6 million this year to care for children with a life-threatening condition and support their families across our region. Income from legacies provides an important revenue stream for the charity. In 2012/2013, 18p in every £1 raised came from a gift bequeathed to them in a Will.

The change introduced in 2012 gives those writing their Wills the chance to consider reducing their inheritance tax rate from 40% to 36% purely by deciding to leave at least 10% of their estate to charity. With inheritance tax being levied on every pound of the deceased’s estate over the threshold of £325,000 - the estate includes all the assets of the deceased; their house, possessions, money and investments - the tax man’s share can be quite considerable. The reduction of 4% can sometimes lead to charities benefitting hugely from a legacy with only a minor drop in the amount due to beneficiaries. Camilla Haycock, Fundraising Development Manager for EACH said: “When it comes to writing your Will, we understand that family and friends come first, but we would also love you to consider

leaving something to EACH in your Will. A gift in a Will is a gift for the future and ensures we are here for generations to come, helping support families and care for lifethreatened children in our region.” Teresa Callender, an Associate in the Lifetime Planning department at Ashton KCJ Solicitors advises that anyone who is considering writing a Will should seek professional help to maximise the potential benefits these changes can bring them. “When drafting Wills, individuals who are likely to be liable to inheritance tax and who are already planning to give to charity might want to think about leaving 10% of their net estate as this will lower the amount of inheritance tax their beneficiaries will pay, benefitting both the charity and their family.” For more information about leaving a gift in your Will to EACH, please contact Mark Loades on 01953 666771.

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Cleaning Agency

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CAR REVIEWS Vauxhall Mokka Tech Line 1.6 16v

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist Twitter @carwriteups www.carwriteups.co.uk

HE VAUXHALL MOKKA mixes functionality with a comfortable elevated seating position. It’s the griffin-badged company’s answer to the Nissan Juke or the Skoda Yeti, and power to the small Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is provided by three efficient engines, all equipped with fuel saving Start/ Stop technology. The petrol version comprises a 1.6-litre engine or a 1.4-litre Turbo and there is a 1.7-litre CDTI diesel. I drove the 113bhp 1.6 petrol Mokka; it has moderate pulling power, but, working your way through the five speed gearbox, it eventually spins up to a decent speed. It also provides a smooth and grippy ride. Looks-wise the Mokka is beefy and incorporates Vauxhall’s signature ‘blade’ on the body side, sweeping

. PROS ‘N’ CONS Smart √ Smooth drive √ Distinct √ Reasonably priced √ Slow off the mark X

towards the rear. Its muscular disposition is reinforced by its higher ground clearance and 18” alloy wheels. But what I really liked about the Mokka is its cleverness. Inside, the vehicle displays archetypal Vauxhall values such as versatility and userfriendly functionality, providing up to 1,372-litres of load space and 19 storage locations. The Mokka also offers the latest generation Flex-Fix bicycle carrier. The user-friendly case is fully integrated in the rear underbody, functioning like a drawer and accommodating up to three bikes at a time. Brilliant, if you’re into two-wheeled outdoor family fun. The SUV is available in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive. The 4x4 system wasn’t ﬁtted to my demo, but if I was in the market for a Mokka I’d deﬁnitely want it. As you’d expect,

the extra technology ensures a high level of stability and traction, extending the car’s capabilities to more rugged environments. It’s always worth having for extra safety reasons alone. Standard features that enhanced the driving experience for me included Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC) as well as Hill Start Assist (HAS). Other progressive upmarket gadgetry the Mokka brings to the table includes Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting. This increases driving safety and includes High Beam Assist. The lights cut a way through the dark like a laser - they really are that good. The Vauxhall Mokka range is available priced, as my test model was, from a very reasonable £15,995 - and it’s far more handsome than its unsightly rival, the Nissan Juke.

FAST FACTS Max speed: 114 mph 0-60 mph: 11.9 secs Combined mpg: 43.5 Engine: 1598 cc 4 cylinder 16 valve petrol Max. power (bhp): 113 at 6000rpm Max. torque (lb/ft): 114 at 4000rpm CO2: 153 g/km Price: £15,995 on the road

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Getting Your Business Noticed Appliance Repairs Norfolk Appliances Adrian Dawes Architecture N J Myhill Architecture Andrew P R Love Architecture SA Architectural Services Bathrooms AHM Installations Beds Sound Sleep Beds Building and Roofing Osborn and Kent Construction Ltd Kevin George Building Services PAC Roofing Peter Cole General Builder Ivan Hurren Cooks Building Services Ltd Glenn Wilson Ltd Pat’s Fascia & Handyman Service Goodall Builders Care and Mobility Prestige Nursing Mobility Superstore Ltd Saffron Housing Contact Care Carpenters Gary’s Carpentry and Joinery Computers,Web Design & Broadband Philippa Green Web Design Bailiwick IT Teknik Computers Dazign Thinking Wisp Rural Broadband

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