Early Spring 2014
HOMES • GARDENS • OUT & ABOUT • JOBS & MONEY • HEALTH • LOCAL SERVICES
IwNellies W xury
Robin Cousins ICE comes to town
Lu ellas & umbr
ExplorE
your family history
Top eBay tips from
Martin Lewis
Everything you need to know about Equity Release
P lus
l l l
Ladies who lunch visit Thetford Garden Centre Discover the ‘dirty’ past of Diss Don’t let your ISA allowance go to waste
l l l
Local businessman wins Prince’s Trust Award NEW crossword page Seeking out the signs of spring
The independent magazine for South Norfolk village people
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Run out of steam by the afternoon?
It’s probably not you. It’s more than likely your bed, if it’s seven years old or more. It’s what we call the seven year hitch. Your bed looks okay but it may no longer be helping you achieve the best possible night’s sleep. For more information and great SALE OFFERS visit our website: www.soundsleepbeds.co.uk
MILE ROAD - WINFARTHING - IP22 2EZ Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00
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Saturday 10:00 - 4:00
Sunday 10:00 - 1:00
Find us on the main B1077 between Diss & Attleborough - Look out for the yellow signs! Credit and Debit Cards accepted in store
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@soundsleepbeds
CONTENTS EARLY SPRING 2014
Out and About out
8 Good News from our region 13 Ladies who Lunch visit Thetford Thetfor etf d etfor Garden Centre 14 Diss: no longer filthy, y, disgusting or offensive! 17 Robin Cousins on Ice 19 Latest film reviews 22 Village Notice Board
Home and Garden
25 Garden Jottings from Ken 29 On your plot – now is the time to go undercover 33 Local businessman wins Prince’s Trust award 34 Top tips for exploring your family history 38 Recipe for chicken liver parfait from the kitchens of Relish
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57 Shopping 43 WIN luxury wellies and umbrellas for the whole family 47 Oral hygiene for your pet 51 Meet the experts chat to Laura Varey 53 Recipe: pork & lentil bake with apple 55 NEW Crossword 57 Seeking out the signs of spring 61 Local walk around Geldeston & Beccles
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Are you looking for a particular product or service? Check out our Local Business Directory on pages 86 & 87!
62 Book reviews, local titles 65 Great money saving tips 67 Martin Lewis talks top eBay buyer’s tricks
Heath and Beauty
69 In good health 71 Suffering prompts inspiring global mission 73 Ancient oriental astrology
Jobs, Money and Business
75 Everything you need to know about Equity Release 79 Don’t let your ISA allowance go to waste
Services
83 Great recommendations for local businesses 85 Car review: Mercedes-Benz A Class 86 Find a local business or service 87 Thinking of advertising? “Special offer”
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Welcome
Sitting in our amazingly sunny office on this very bright mid January day, it’s hard to believe that the weathermen are predicting a hard winter. I just don’t like to hear the phrase ‘wintery showers’ and even worse ‘progressively cooler’! Roll on spring when we can finally get outdoors and into the garden. This issue is all about spring and enjoying the wonderful local countryside that we live in. Feeling lucky? Make sure you enter our fantastic family giveaway and win two pairs of luxury wellies and umbrellas for the whole family. Whether you’re interested in saving money, spending money or releasing money, make sure you read our tips and secrets including everything you need to know about eBay from the award-winning TV and radio presenter Martin Lewis. And for any readers considering making the most of your retirement by releasing funds from your property, our full page guide is a must read.
Lily’s sunny desk
We’ve been chasing round the county this month with our Ladies who Lunch popping over to Thetford and we discover that Diss hasn’t always been the lovely market town it is today! How about this for a good idea on a chilly evening, grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine and settle down in front of the fire with your new magazine and if there’s a pen handy try your hand at our new crossword feature. Your feedback is always welcome so if there’s anything you’d like to see in your magazine, do please get in touch and let me know. Read, enjoy & keep your copy handy over the next two months until we are back in early April.
WIN Two pairs of luxury wellies along with 5 cool umbrellas for the whole family
Lily
Lily Goulder editor@village-people.info
Florence busy at work!
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 Early Spring
2014
Early Spring
Early Spring 2014
ABOU ENS • OUT & HOMES • GARD
T • JOBS & MONE
CES H • LOCAL SERVI HOMES • GARDEN S • OUT & ABOUT & MONEY • HEALT • JOBS & MONEY • ABOUT • JOBS HEALTH • LOCAL SERVICE ENS • OUT & SHOMES • GARD
LOCAL SERVICES Y • HEALTH •
WIN
Top eBay tips from
Robin Cousins
WIN
Luxury wellies & brollies
Martin Lewis
Luxury wellies & brollies
ICE comes to town
ExplorE
orE Expl your family
Everything know to you need ity Release
Martin Lewis
Everything you need to know
l
l l l
films Ladies who lunch s and new l visit Thetford Garden Local book review l Discover Centre ord page the ‘dirty’ past of Diss NEW crossw l Don’t spring let your ISA allowanc the signs of Seeking out e go to waste
Follow us on Twitter VPMagazine
nt magazine The independe
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ich village peop
for South Norw
The independent magaz
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Local businessman wins Prince’s Trust Award NEW crossword page Seeking out the signs of spring
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P lus l
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rd Garden Centre lunch visit Thetfo Ladies who Diss ‘dirty’ past of Discover the go to waste ISA allowance Don’t let your
k village people
Late Sprin g (April/Ma y)
14th Ma
t magazine for
The independen
Everything ow u need to kn about Equity
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Villagepeoplemagazines
Release
s and new films Local book review ord page NEW crossw spring the signs of Seeking out
village people
Visit our Facebook page
ine for South Norfol
NEX DEADLT INE
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Top eBay tips from is
P lus
Garden Centre visit Thetford Ladies who lunch Diss ‘dirty’ past of Discover the go to waste ISA allowance Don’t let your
ICE com to town
Martin Lew
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ollie & br
Top eBay tips from about Equity Relea
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Lu
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Robin Cousins
ICE comes to town
P lus
E plilyor Exr fam history you Robin Cousinses
IN s W wellie s xury
your family histo
history
about Equ
2014
ffolk border
on the Norfolk/Su
Visit our website to find out more www.village-people.info
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Good News FROM OUR REGION ALADDIN’S CAVE FOR ANIMAL LOVERS
NORWICH CHARITY CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
g disorders Beat – the Norwich-based national eatin year. this y ersar anniv 25th its rates celeb charity orting those Since 1989 the charity has been supp family and with an eating disorder as well as their helplines, gh throu on mati infor friends, providing ort groups a wide network of self help and supp training and and online support; providing expert supporting ols; scho and als resources to profession aigning for and encouraging research and camp t. better services and access to treatmen Eating 24 February – 2 March 2014 is National better no is there so , week s enes Awar Disorders know you one some or you if time to contact Beat mation email is in need of help. For further infor t.co.uk edaw@b-eat.co.uk or visit www.b-ea
“OUTSTANDING” Independent Schools Inspectorate
An independent, co-educational day and boarding school for ages 5 - 18
OPEN DAYS
1st March * 10th May * 21st June 10.30am - 2.00pm or Call us to arrange a mutually convenient time to visit Providing additional support for children who find learning difficult
Quidenham, Nr Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2NZ Tel: 01953 887 217 admin@neweccleshall.com
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www.neweccleshall.com
Local family business, Smylee Pets, has expanded to provide animal lovers of South Norfolk with all they need for their pets. Owner Jayne Benson said: “So many of our customers were asking for horse products that we decided to start stocking horse feed and accessories including clothing. This has been well received by customers who welcome the competitive prices, easy parking and vast range of products. With ever changing trends for pets and their lifestyle, new lines are arriving all the time including Nature’s Menu frozen food and Komodo reptile accessories.” You can visit Smylee Pets on Heath Road in Banham to explore the amazing selection of pet and equestrian food and accessories. www.smyleepets.co.uk
QUALITY ANTIQUE FAIR SUNDAY MARCH 9th Open 10.30am until 4pm Admission £3
Dunston Hall Norwich NR14 8PQ (A140 Ipswich Road)
www.norfolkfairs.com 07596 436260 (Next fair Sun 18th May)
OPTICIANS BECOME POP STARS
SWAINSTHORPE COMES ALIVE THANKS TO THE PIGS Swainsthorpe, a small village 4 miles south of Norwich, has come alive since the Project Ideas Group (PIG) was formed following a major refurbishment of St. Peter’s Church to provide a community centre for the local residents. Formed as a sub group of the Swainsthorpe Community Charity Trust the PIGs consist of 18 members (mainly ladies) of the local community who meet regularly to plan and organise village events and activities. It is not unknown for the odd glass of wine to be consumed at their lively meetings! The most recent event organised was a 60’s night of music, dancing and cabaret at which the PIGs entertained an enthusiastic gathering of local residents who all had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Staff from an opticians in Thetford have leant their vocals to a charity single in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). The single, entitled ‘I can count on you’ by indie band DryStoneWalls, features backing vocals by the team at Specsavers Thetford. The track will be officially released via iTunes on 1st February, with all proceeds going to the charity which supports families and provides care for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. For more information about the charity single, visit the Facebook page for DryStoneWalls or download ‘I can count on you’ by DryStoneWalls at iTunes.
IF YOU HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO SHARE EMAIL US AT editor@village-people.info
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MASTERPIECES: ART AND EAST ANGLIA PUBLICATION WINS PRESTIGIOUS EAST ANGLIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in Norwich is delighted that Masterpieces: Art and East Anglia has received the prestigious East Anglian Book of the Year Award. The publication accompanies the exhibition currently on view at the Sainsbury Centre until 24 February 2014. Edited by the curator of the exhibition, Ian Collins, Masterpieces: Art and East Anglia reveals the rich heritage of art and architecture in the region gi as well as the East Anglian tradition of producing, nurturing and inspiring artists. Thee book, which is more than a catalogue, showcases each masterpiece in the exhibition and includes over 250 colour illustrations and 125 scholarly essays by 84 distinguished authors. The exhibition, which opened in September 2013, has already attracted over 12,000 visitors. If you missed it, or really enjoyed it, then this wonderful book is a must! Ian Collins, curator and editor
GREAT ELLINGHAM CHIT CHAT CENTRE
A couple of years ago Ann Milner was convinced that Great Ellingham needed a ‘get-together’ centre for lonely folk and anyone who felt as if they were fo cut cut-off from the local community. “I decided to star start a Chit Chat Centre in our Village Hall 2 years ago and it is a huge success,” she says. “We have at least 60 people who pop in from time to time and every week expect 35-40 attending at any one time. It is a drop-in centre – I stress not just fo for the elderly but for anyone – who fancies a chat with local people. People do knitting and crochet, read the newspapers, have debates and play board games. There are also some toys for children. Many games ne new friendships have been formed and the group support each other. I think every village should suppor ha have a Chit Chat Centre.” Th The Chit Chat Centre is open at Great Ellingham Village Hall EVERY Wednesday morning from 10am to 12 noon. Contact An Ann Milner on 01953 882065 or annmilner@btin er@btinternet.com if you’ve got an any questions.
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.
We cover Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire
EACH gift in every Will makes a difference
Contact Mark Loades on 01953 666771
Registered Charity No. 1069284 Call us FREE on 0800 917 4680
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email: contactcare@saffronhousing.co.uk
Good News FROM OUR REGION 71-YEAR-OLD YOGA TEACHER LAUNCHES NEW BOOK
Year’s If you’re struggling to keep your New should resolutions about getting fit, then this and nurse d retire a is r Olive n Eilee you! re inspi still is who m enha Buck Old chiropodist from teaching yoga aged 71. called ‘Yoga: She has just brought out a new book Simple stretches and postures for the less YOGA able’, which contains Simple Stretches and Postures for the Less Able stretches and yoga postures suitable for people who are not as fit and able as they could be or disabled. The book has been published by The Erskine Press in Eccles. Eileen Oliver If you would like to order a copy, call Crispin de Boos on 01953 887277 or visit www.erskine-press.com The book costs £9.95.
MOBILE GYM VISITS HETHERSETT North Norfolk District Council’s mobile gym service will be at Jubilee Youth Club on Backs Lane in Hethersett every Wednesday from 10am until 2pm. There is something to suit everyone from age 16 up and there will be two fully qualified instructors, Wyn and Karle, who will ensure that you have an effective exercise session. They can provide you with a personal programme to suit your needs so if you have never used a gym before there is no need to worry. The sessions are meant to be fun and social and are only £3 per session. If you would like any more information please contact Wyn on 01263 516305 or 07795265671 or e-mail wyn.nurse@north-norfolk.gov.uk
IF YOU HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO SHARE EMAIL US AT editor@village-people.info
Rosedale FUNERAL HOME
Andy Free and Jane Patrick have been gently guiding families arranging funerals in the South Norfolk Area for many years.
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Providing the very best care. We have established our reputation by providing an exceptional service at an affordable cost.
A family business – we believe it makes a difference
Rosedale House 63 Victoria Rd, Diss
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01953 601103
• BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP • ADVICE ON FUNERAL GRANTS
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Out & About
Newquay – Inclusive Mon 24 – Fri 28 Mar Esplanade Hotel *** Newquay £365 Delightful Corner of South Wales Sun 30 Mar – Thurs 3 Apr Ivy Bush Hotel *** Carmarthen £309 Beamish & The Great North Steam Fair Fri 11 – Sun 13 Apr Mercure Hotel **** Washington £169 Historic Chester & North Wales Mon 31 Mar – Fri 4 Apr Beaufort Park Hotel *** Mold £299 Breathtaking Bruges Weekend Fri 4 – Mon 7 Apr Park Hotel **** Bruges £339 Lytham St Annes Sun 6 – Thurs 10 Apr Inn on the Prom *** St Annes £299 RHS Spring Flower Show – Cardiff Fri 11 – Sun 13 Apr Hilton Hotel **** Newport £159 Picturesque Cotswolds & Bristol at Easter Fri 18 – Mon 21 Apr Marriott Hotel **** Swindon £269 Torquay & South Devon Mon 21 – Fri 25 Apr Headland Hotel *** Torquay £299 Bulbfields & Beyond Fri 2 – Mon 5 May Hotel den Haag **** Den Haag £399 Call the Midwife in Historic Kent Sun 4 – Thur 8 May Hilton Hotel **** Maidstone £399 Warners Nidd Hall – Harrogate Mon 5 – Fri 9 May Warners Nidd Hall, Harrogate £359 WWI 100th Anniversary Sat 10 – Tues 13 May Novotel Ieper Centre *** Ieper £459 The Beautiful Black Forest Sat 17 – Sat 24 May Bearen Hotel *** Oberharmersbach £595 Austrian Lakes, Mozart & Mountains Sat 31 May – Sun 8 Jun Hotel Tirolerhof *** St Georgen £759
* NO feeders or interchanges * FREE home taxi collection and return on holidays of 5 days or more * All excursions Included in the price 12
Ladies Who Lunch
THETFORD GARDEN CENTRE Kilverston Road, Kilverstone, near Thetford, IP24 2RL
T
hetford Garden Centre is not in Thetford itself, but if you can find the A11 (north), you’re almost there. It being almost Christmas, I was urged to go because of the fantastic range of Christmassy stuff on sale there. Only later did I remember that I don’t do Christmas! But I did manage to buy enough strange things to have my credit card cowering in the back of my purse begging for mercy. We hastened to check out the café / restaurant and have coffee. The coffee was large, strong, hot and fresh. Thus revived we went in search of things to buy and there was a huge range on offer! An hour later we met up again for lunch. In addition to the indoor tables, there is a large warm sun room which overlooks the late lamented wildlife park (now extinct) and we sat overlooking it. There is an extensive menu which includes brunches, lunches, salads, soups and baked potatoes plus a specials board. The menu makes much of local farms, homemade cakes and biscuits.
BOTTOM LINE (For two)
Milkshake St. Clements Jacket Spud Panini Sponge pudding Strawberry tart 2 coffees
£2.99 £1.99 £6.99 £5.99 £4.49 £3.35 £4.40
TOTAL
£30.20
There is a children’s section offering favourites such as sausage rolls, baked beans and spaghetti, all for about £3, or an Activity Bag lunch with sandwich, fruit, biscuit and crayons (to play with, not eat… although who knows?) for £4. The three of us chose different dishes. I was really hungry and went for a jacket potato with chicken tikka which was very tasty indeed and the accompanying salad was plentiful. ‘Old Friend’ chose vegetable soup which was almost a mini veg casserole, and came with 2 small rolls. ‘New Friend’ chose a panini with brie and red onion relish which was comfortingly large and came with salad garnish. We were all delighted with the cheery quick service and quite soon were best friends with the waitress! The restaurant is not licensed so I had a bottle of St Clements which was very citrusy with a gentle tingle on the tongue. My friends had an
ice cream milkshake each which they said were the best they’d ever had. Puds came next and I had seen some of those lovely big open fruit tarts with cream and jelly holding the strawberries in place. I do like a chance to see my pudding before I order, and had no hesitation in choosing this one. Both friends (who are noticeably thinner than I am) ordered blackcurrant and elderflower sponge pudding with custard which, although a little small, was delicious. I almost offered to help clear them up, but was rapidly silenced by two hard stares. I really enjoyed this place, it was happy and a bit noisy, but that was hardly surprising considering it was Christmas (well, the end of November which amounts to the same thing nowadays!) There’s good parking, access all round is good and the loos are clean and fresh. It is incidentally a garden centre and I am sure there must have been plants outside. I’ll check - in the summer.
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Diss: no longer filthy, disgusting or offensive! Diss hasn’t always been the lovely market town it is today, says Glynn Burrows, owner of Norfolk Tours.
I
n 1850, a report into the sanitary conditions of the inhabitants of the town of Diss was published and it makes sobering reading.
The mere was, at that time, about five acres in size and up to twenty feet deep. It was exuding a vapour which was caused by the amount of animal and vegetable matter in it and chemical analysis proved that it was extremely unclean. The author of the report explains that the town had many places where “disease and death had accompanied the accumulation of decomposing filth” and he goes on to give lots of examples of where the disposal of waste was making the town a very uncomfortable place to live.
Norfolk’s best with a great deal to offer including the many independent businesses and the pleasant surroundings. I was in town for the Battle of the Bangers and it was a lovely day, exploring the shops, visiting places of interest and, oh yes, eating the sausages! One place, very worthy of a visit next time you are in the area, is Diss Museum which is in the Market Place next to the Church. The Museum is not open till the spring but I am sure the volunteers who run it would welcome a hand. Why not contact them to see if you can help? dissmuseum@lineone.net , The Museum, 11 Market Hill, IP22 4JZ or call (01379) 650618
It was also a very dangerous place for children especially, as in 1848, nearly 35% of all deaths were of under-5s. In the report, the words which are often used include: filthy, disgusting, offensive, stinking, stagnant and injurious. There were 13 almshouses which were beautifully situated, with a southern aspect and green lawn in front but at the back there was a foul ditch, about six yards wide, full of the waste from eight cottages. A slaughter-house allowed all of its waste to run down the surface of Church Street. The Saracen’s Head had a large pool of filth, twelve feet in diameter, in the yard and Shelfhanger Lane was a colony of cottages surrounded with everything that is pestilential.
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Thankfully, that report was written in 1850 and, today, the town bears absolutely no resemblance to the description above! In 2014, it is one of
You don’t have to travel far from Diss to find places to visit to satisfy every interest: in Eye, you can find a motte and bailey castle to explore, in Wingfield, there are the ruins of a medieval manor house and you can spend a great time exploring the fantastic nature reserve at Redgrave & Lopham fen. So don’t forget about what’s right on your doorstep! There are so many places to visit without using much petrol and you will find that many attractions are free to get in too! By the way, I didn’t notice any vapours rising from the mere when I was in Diss eating those delicious sausages and I can’t say that any of the words used in 1850 applied to the beautiful town I saw that day either! Discover more of Glynn’s fascinating local stories or book a tour at www.norfolk-tours.co.uk
Out & About
Norwich High School GDST (3-18 years)
OPEN WEEK Monday 10th March - Friday 14th March Tours available of the Junior and Senior Schools
Top Junior School in Norfolk and Suffolk
Sunday Times, November 2013
95 Newmarket Road, Norwich, NR2 2HU A member of the Girls’ Day School Trust. Charity number 306983
01603 453265 . admissions@nor.gdst.net . www.norwichhigh.gdst.net
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Out & About
FEB/MAR BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00
Mon 27 Jan – Sat 1 Feb ANYTHING GOES Amateur production of Cole Porter’s sparkling musical £5.50 - £21.50 Sun 2 Feb RAT PACK LIVE Swingsational tribute £5.50 - £23.50
Mon 24 Feb RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC All the brilliant hits £5.50 - £22.50
Tues 4 – Sat 8 Feb BARRY HUMPHRIES’ FAREWELL TOUR Dame Edna’s final curtain £6.50 - £47.50
Wed 26 Feb – Sat 1 March BARMY BRITAIN Horrible Histories come to life £5.50 - £16
Sun 9 Feb PUNT & DENNIS Satirical stand-up £5.50 - £22.50
Mon 3 March ESSENCE OF IRELAND Celebration of Irish music, song and dance £5.50 – £22.50
Mon 10 Feb CLASSIC ROCK SHOW Top 10 classic rock albums £5.50 - £22 Thur 13 – Sat 15 Feb CIRQUE BERSERK Daredevil circus spectacular £6.50 - £28
Tues 4 March BRITTEN SINFONIA Bartok, Brahms, Janacek £6.50 - £26
Wed 5 March JAMIE ALLAN iMagician – innovative modern magic £5.50 - £20 Fri 7 – Sat 8 March ENGLISH YOUTH BALLET Magical new production of Swan Lake £5.50 - £21 Mon 10 – Sat 15 March HAPPY DAYS Heidi Range, Ben Freeman, Cheryl Baker star in family rock ‘n’ roll musical £6.50 - £35 Wed 19 – Sun 23 March Robin Cousins’ ICE Dazzling ice show £6.50 - £31.50 Tues 25 – Sat 29 March PROPELLER Award-winning, all male Shakespeare £5.50 - £24 Sun 30 March NORFOLK SCHOOLS PROJECT Local schoolchildren perform opera Free
Barry Humphries’ Farewell Tour
Mon 17 – Wed 19 Feb SIBERIAN STATE BALLET Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake £6.50 - £32.50
Fri 21 – Sat 22 Feb RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY World class contemporary dance £5.50 - £19.50
Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk THEATRE STREET, NORWICH NR2 1RL
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Robin C ousins on Ice
T
It could be said that Robin Cousins has done more to promote the sport of figure skating than anyone else in the UK – from Olympic arenas, to stage sell-outs to big screen successes; Cousins is synonymous with the word ice. his s pring, he brings his latest on-stage extravaganza, Ice, to Norwich Theatre Royal. We caught up with him for a chat.
As you might expect, winter is far from a season of hibernation for someone who has built their career around the frozen stuff, but even by Robin’s standards this is set to be a busy one. He will once again be taking up the role of judge on ITV talent show Dancing On Ice, as well as heading over to Sochi to commentate on the Winter Olympics during February. Beginning in January and running all the way through to May will be his new ice stage show, Ice. With 33 years since his last ice stage spectacle, Electric Ice, this is a show that’s been a long time in the making. “I’ve probably had most of the show in the back of my head for those 33 years” he says. “Electric Ice was the first big theatrical presentation that I was able to create and since then I’ve done one or two other bits for other people. I’m now going to be able to bring everything together that I’ve learned in those thirty or so years. “The idea is that I can take everything I’ve learned from this sport that I’m so passionate about, bring it onto a theatrical stage and allow the skating to speak for itself.”
but at the same time, I’ve been very fortunate with my career. “I’ve been able to skate all over the world and now it’s my time to choreograph other people in a way that I would never have done myself. “I want to take the audience on a journey that has no purpose other than to give them pleasure and enjoyment and send them out of the theatre tapping their toes and thinking ‘that was money well spent’.” And with the relentless creativity and meticulous nature of the show’s creator-in-chief, that audience satisfaction should be a certainty for Ice.
Ice runs from Wednesday 19th March to Sunday 23rd March Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01603 630 000 or Book Online
www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
Ice arrives at Norwich Theatre Royal on March 19-23 and features a cast of 14 international standard skaters handpicked by Robin. These skaters are then arranged and choreographed by Robin to create a stunning visual display of gliding, flipping and flying, all to a stellar soundtrack. “We have a mix of music. Some of it is well-known like Elton John and Lady Gaga, but maybe not played the way you would expect to hear them and might leave you thinking ‘who wrote that?’” Despite all the grandiose stage projects and Dancing on Ice some people will always associate Robin Cousins with his 1980 Winter Olympic Figure Skating gold medal in Lake Placid. But while Robin admits that a part of him longs to get his skates back on, he’s happy to be helping younger performers looking to emulate his success. “I’d be lying if I said that it wouldn’t be lovely if I could still do what I’m going to be asking my skaters to do
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Out & About al ide r a e Th ng fo eal m ti set antic this o rom r tw fo
n
tines
Vale
y Da
Make Mum feel extra special this
Mothering Sunday Restau Ra nt
March 20th
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 - t. 01953 454363
Visit www.sherbourne-house.co.uk to view our current menu
• Popular Sunday lunches...booking advisable! • Beautiful large beamed restaurant/ function room for weddings and parties
• Spacious garden with many tables for al fresco eating
Monday-Saturday 11.30am til 3pm and 6pm til 11pm
Sunday 12 til 5pm. (closed Sunday night)
The Green, Old Buckenham, Norfolk NR17 1RE
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• Simply delicious food prepared by our three chefs and served in our bar, snug or dining room • A courtyard garden for summer dining • Visit us for Sunday breakfast, brunch or supper
Tuesday-Saturday (Closed Mondays) 12noon til 3pm and 6pm til 11pm
Sunday 9.30am til 3pm and 6pm til 10pm.
Chapel Street, New Buckenham, Norfolk NR16 2BB
Latest Film Releases
As an antidote to the awards season our resident film buff, Ian Kemsley from Suffolk, has previewed three of spring’s biggest blockbusters.
Noah
Ca America - The Winter Soldier Captain
One of those films which at first glance looks as though it is going to be a resounding failure - you know, like Titanic and Avatar. And then you see that the director is Darren Aronofsky, of Black Swan and The Fountain; and that the lead is Russell Crowe, in Gladiator mode and fresh from playing Superman’s dad in Man of Steel; and the cast includes Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone and Emma Watson. It is a re-telling of the Noah’s Ark – when Noah (Crowe) experiences visions of a catastrophic deluge, he takes measures to save his family. Expect a great deal of CGI spectacle, but also poetry, spirituality and cinematic creativity.
Following the success of Thor - The Dark World we have a further Marvel sequel to enjoy, whilst we wait for The Av Avengers to reassemble in 2015. This time Captain Amer is joined by fellow Avenger Black Widow America (S (Scarlett Johansson), which can only add to the fun. Th first film was if anything slightly serious in tone, with The its Second World War setting, and this may well echo that in mood and style, though brought up-to-date into a post-Avengers world. It seems that the purpose of SHIELD itself is in doubt, and thrilling shenanigans ensue. Robert Redford costars, adding gravitas, and Samuel L. Jackson returns as Nick Fury. The Marvel universe gains from the different styles of its component parts, and this one looks edgy, thrilling and just that little bit real.
Release: 30th March See it if you liked: Life of Pi (2012)
Release: 26th March See it if you liked: Marvel Avengers Assemble (2012)
Non-Stop The rebirth of Liam Neeson as an action hero in films such as Taken and Unknown has been one of the great joys of recent years. Here he is a sky marshal on a threatened airliner, so lots of predictable smack-down action should result, with no doubt one or two equally predictable twists and turns. And that is not a criticism you watch a film like this because you want it to do exactly what it says on the tin. On a flight between New York and London, Neeson’s character starts to receive threatening text messages – one passenger will be killed every 20 minutes until $150million is transferred into a secret bank account. Julianne Moore adds class and Michelle Dockery from Downton Abbey joins in, showing that you can maintain your place in the cast of a successful TV series and forge a film career. Release: 28th February See it if you liked: Unknown (2011)
19
Out & About
GREAT DAYS OUT WITH
2014 WEST END SHOWS 02 March Jersey Boys £65 12 March Wicked £65 12 March Charlie & the Chocolate Factory £70 12 March Lion King £75 20 March War Horse £70 GARDENS & GARDEN SHOWS 25 February Anglesey Garden & Cambridge £26 05 April Thriplow Daffodils £25 11 April Kew Gardens & Palace £46 24 April Hampton Court Palace & Gardens £45 22/23/24 May Chelsea Flower Show £75 14 June Gardeners World at NEC £46 11/12/13 July Hampton Court Flower Show £55 30 July Sandringham Flower Show (travel only)£15
For more details, please call 01603 679010 3 Castle Meadow, Norwich, NR1 3PY
20
SHOPPING 16 February Westfield – Stratford 21 February London Shopper (or Museums) 22 February Bury St Edmunds 14 March France/Belgium via Eurotunnel 15 March Lakeside or Bluewater SHOWS & EXHIBITIONS 12 February The Cheapside Hoard Exhibition 15 February Motorcycle Show 19 February Harry Potter Studio Tour 22/23 February Camping & Caravan Show 6/7/8/9 March Crufts 20/21/22/23 Mar Ideal Home Show 12 April Cake International
WEST END SHOWS, SHOPPING, EXHIBITIONS & MUSEUMS!
£25 £26 £16 £52 £19 £41 £46 £59 £30 £50 £39 £38
See full programme online or ask for a booklet today
Prices include admission where applicable; senior/child prices may apply
Book online: www.chenerylive.co.uk @CheneryLive
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Out & About
a touch of class...
To book the Town Hall please contact the Clerk’s office 10am-2pm Mondays - Thursdays and 10am-12noon on Fridays.
01953 483545 info@eden-meadows.co.uk
www.eden-meadows.co.uk
LICENSED BY BRECKLAND COUNCIL
Tel: 01953 456194 Fax: 01953 452200 E-mail: enquiries@attleboroughtc.org.uk
We are a meals on wheels service with a 5 star rating from environmental health. We cover a 15-20 mile radius of Thetford, delivering hot traditional meals and desserts 7 days a week, to the local community.
LUNCH IN 3 EASY STEPS
1 2 PICK
PAY
3 ENJOY!
R YOU DOO R
Fresh daily
IVERED TO EL
Riding for the disabled catered for through Mid-Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association or privategroups
SANDY LANE, ROCKLANDS, ATTLEBOROUGH, NORFOLK, NR17 1EN
Attleborough Town Hall, a fine building dating from the 1700s, is an increasingly popular venue for social and business functions. The building has recently been refurbished and we can offer a wide range of facilities in an historic and atmospheric setting. The premises are fully-furnished and air-conditioned, comprising a large function room with dance floor, large licensed bar room, spacious kitchen, plus meeting rooms and free car parking facilities near-by. It is the ideal venue for your Christmas function and your family and social events. We can also accommodate weddings and parties.
D
ASSOCIATIONOF BRITISHRIDING SCHOOLSAPPROVED
Courtesy of Nigel Hood
Riding lessons for adults and children from 6 years (of all abilities) in our purpose built indoor arena. Adults trying something new or re-kindling a childhood passion, can enjoy a fun and relaxing sport. For the more serious rider, advanced tuition is available, providing a good work out as well! Please call for information and brochure. Friendly family run business.
RED HOT
MEALS FRESH, NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS
Our Hot Introductory
OFFER
Order 5 meals in your first week and get your 6th meal free!!
Please contact Rachael or Chloe
01842 766575
mobile: 07918907532 email: redhotmeals@gmail.com
21
Village Notice Board ’ t h ig N e h t f o ic s u ‘The M
y presented b no, the shows, ra m op o -s fr zo c si ez u m M n, ristine Brow o
Ch pian erine Hyde, ritone, Cath ba , is rrator av D na , n ie With Ke & Jane Brod 7 1BL. R1 N Village Hall, pm in Caston 30 7. at ch in ar & clude Sat 8th M 953 483889
01 rval ) available on ffet in the inte Tickets (£10 d a finger bu an e in w of s glas ch, Caston a welcoming ly Cross Chur ge Hall and Ho In aid of Villa
ct orfolk One A The Third N Competition Playwriting 18 or over
dents aged & Norfolk Resi r the 1st, 2nd open to all spectively fo dicated £100 & £50 re , ju 00 ad £2 as s of ay s pl Prize 3rd winning NODA members of by a panel of tion) cia so As ic at am peratic and Dr O the l na by tio ed Na rm (The will be perfo inning plays 2015 in ty cie So ic The 3 prizew at Amateur Dram ted will be presen Garboldisham & certificates y ph tro a s, The Full ue of eq py ch e co th a n & whe July 2014 l: bmissions 31st ined via e-mai Deadline for su try can be obta En of s on iti y.com nd sk Co d 1@ an en w les Ru june.o
ARE YO U A KEEN GARD ENER AND ARE oP Then come and sp en
EN To NEW IDEA
S?
d an evening with ‘Will Giles’ of The Exotic Garde n, Norwich At St Peters Comm unity Centre, Swain sthorpe On fri 14th March 7.0 0pm There will be a pre sentation and talk by Wi ll Gil who will also be ha es, ppy to answer any questions Tickets £3 which mu st be purchased in advance and refreshments will be available contact Bernadette on 01508 471064
Well BrkeHinotgel Diss
Pa evening at thare ch in aid of EACH
Wed 26th M ts ering treatmen apists will be off , ge sa as A variety of ther m ot fo logy, Thai such as reflexo from makeup ng with advice alo c, et py ra ultants & a ns aromathe co re nicians, skin ca artists, nail tech ms such as hand selling quality ite variety of stalls ellery etc jew , eservatives made soaps, pr la bo m to e/ ffl ra Pay bar and , pm 30 Doors open 7. 650938 Pauline 01379 m fro £5 t’s ke tic
List your local event for FREE on our Village Notice Board Email details to Lily at editor@village-people.info 22
It’s
FREE to
list evenytour !
The Pulham
Orchestra
‘Come and Sunday 9th M
Play’ Day
arch - 10am - 4. 30
P ul ham Market Memor ia
pm
l Hall
Open to player s of all ages an d experience (p having sight-re referably ading skills to at least Grade Come and join 3). us for an info rmal, fun day of music-makin g. New players very welcome. Members of Th e Pulham Orch estra and under-18’s : £10 Others : £15 Refreshments available: a lig ht lunch costin can be ordered g £3.50 in advance; te a, coffee and soft drinks will be provided fre e of cost. for more deta ils and to book a place please visit w ww.pvo.org.uk BOOKING DEA
DLINE SUNDAY
23RD
FEBRUARY The Pulham Or chestra is a Re gistered Charity Charity No: 11 . 17434 Pulham Market, Norfolk
chool colneston S a T f o s d n e fri
Spr ing Fayre 29th March
2-4pm
village hall Tacolneston tivities d children’s ac craft stalls an , orillas’ ts g h en ic m h rw o es Refr o of the N tw e se d an ‘Come
Great Ell ingham & Dis trict
F lower C lub
Jumble Sale o n March 29th Higham Mem at orial Hall from 10.30am Tea and Coffe e
HOOL AM PRE-SC BUCKENH MBLE SALE GROUP JU eshments bola, & refr m o T , ll a st - 12 Noon Cake RCH 10 am A M n st 1 T A S H ROOMS o THE CHURC N E E R G ENHAM OLD BUCK
B O O K SALE & AR T EXH IB I T ION
at Tibenham Co Pristow Green Lammunity Hall ne NR16 1NX Sat 22nd Feb10am – Sun 23rd Feb 10am 4pm – 3pm HUGE SELECTION OF OWNED BOOKS, CD PREVIOUSLY S AND DVDS
Donations of book s very much welco These can be left med. in porch at Railtons (The Street, Tibenham) at any time or at the Comm unity Hall on Friday 21st betw een 10am and 2p Please telephone m. Carole or Julie (01 379 677190) to make other deliv ery arrangements .
: lee Players present
Carleton Rode Jubi
ncil Flats”
“The Sheriff of Cou A pantomime with
a Western touch
To be performed on
20th, 21st & 22nd
the
of Feb at 7.30pm
illage Hall, in Carleton Rode V m with a matinee on
the 22nd at 2p
door nder 16s) on the Tickets £6 or £3 (u 3 789687 95 01 e on ph n More informatio nded in at outside and guns ha (Horses to be tied up n gals) oo sal k out for the the counter and loo
See ya’ll there!
r Militaria fai
isure centre Thetford Le IP24 1JD
23 10 til 2 Sunday Feb 2.50 Admission £
23
Home & Garden
Eye Gardens For all your gardening needs Garden maintenance
Expert service at good rates
Garden Landscaping
For all structural land works
Garden Design
Garden advice, makeovers and design to give you a garden that is a pleasure not a burden
Contact: Amanda 07732 783572 Deer Stalking in England Ltd.
D.R.S.
GARDEN MAINTENANCE • Regular grass cutting service • Garden clearance • No job too small
Fully qualified and insured staff carry out Deer census and management. We can advise on fencing and live capture, census and population dynamics. Whatever problem you have please contact us via our website or phone Mark on 07788 961838
Fully insured
25 Years
local experience, completely reliable
Telephone Derek on
01953 455048 J K Anderson NDF F. ARBOR. A
P J Anderson ND. ARB
• Stump Grinding • Tree Surgery Specialists • Woodchippings • BS 5837 Tree Surveys • Lantra Tree Safety Inspections • Garden Design & Landscaping • Grounds Maintenance • Access Hire The Limes, Rothbury Rd, Wymondham
t: 01953 607715
Sycamore House, Tanning Lane, New Buckenham
t: 01953 860370
All areas covered Fully Insured
www.broadlandtreeservices.co.uk
24
www.stalkinginengland.co.uk
DJA Handyman Services Fencing www.djahandyman.co.uk Painting 07786 991333 Decks and Patios dave@djahandyman.co.uk Tiling Dave Allison General Garden maintenance Flat pack assembly Handyman, Property Garden Features and Garden Gar Maintenance Kennels, Cat houses, Hutches, etc Bathrooms Kitchens Carpentry Electrics
And more
S
Garden Jottings from Ken
pring is in the air and a gardener’s thoughts turn to…? Well, obviously I don’t know about you, but nervous anticipation may possibly sum it up for me! Will it be a good gardening year? Will the weather be warm and sunny (but not too hot)? Will there be just the right amount of rain so everything stays fresh, a gentle breeze to help keep mildew at bay, and will those hungry caterpillars, slugs and aphids keep their distance? I should be so lucky… but we can always hope!
slumbers to herald the new season. Don’t worry if you missed planting time, they’re available now in small ready-to-go pots. Snowdrops, crocus, narcissi and others interspersed amongst colourful primroses will soon lift our winter blues whilst providing early nectar for foraging bees and who can resist the charm of magnificent hellebores? Recent breeding has resulted in some stunning varieties of these easy-to-keep beauties.
Gardeners are generally optimistic about the coming season, looking forward to getting outside and tending their plots, lifting their first new potatoes, picking succulent and tasty fruit, or cutting flowers for indoor vases. Many early flowering plants are fragrant to help insects locate them. Easy to grow choices include Christmas box, Witch hazel, shrubby honeysuckle, Wintersweet and beautiful viburnums such as V. bodnantense and V. burkwoodii. Try to plant them near to pathways so you get to enjoy their perfume as well! The natural world gains its own sense of urgency – your garden birds are beginning to pair up and look around for suitable nesting sites. Although breeding may not take place for a couple of months, this is a good time to put up a nest box – or several – since different birds have different housing desires. We have fabulous deals throughout February on all nest boxes (including camera and specialist types) as we once again extend the BTO’s annual National Nest Box Week promotion to the whole month, alongside our year-round great value range of feeds. Out in the borders, naturalised bulbs and those planted in autumn are now pushing their way up from dormant
When the weather is favourable, go outside and do a bit in your garden. You might allow time to prepare the vegetable plot – a little digging keeps you nice and warm. Soft-fruit bushes like gooseberries, currants and raspberries can be planted now and they are still available bare-root now along with many different hedging and herbaceous choices, all offering substantial savings over container-grown stock. If it’s not so encouraging outside, spend some time planning your flower displays or deciding on this year’s edible crops. Summer bulbs, such as dahlias, aren’t always fully hardy, but if you choose them now you can get them off to an early start by planting them in pots and protecting them from frost inside a shed or greenhouse. Once you are in selecting mode, pick up some onion and shallot sets, seed potatoes and a few packets of seeds… and you’re all ready to go, once the weather allows.
Cheers, Ken
from The Garden Enclosure at Banham
full of spring inspriration!
INDEPENDENT PLANT CENTRE & GARDEN SHOP 01953 888043 www.gardenenclosure.co.uk Makin
Inspiring plant selections, plant sourcing and garden advice, gardening and floristry sundries, pet supplies, gifts… and more! Find us at Banham Zoo, NR16 2HE - outside Zoo ticket kiosks Open Thursday to Monday 10.00am to 4pm (9.30am to 5pm Mar to Oct)
g Spring Special ! 25
Home & Garden
hempnall lawnmower centre
Selling many brands & models of ride-on mowers, lawnmowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, snow blowers, log splitters, strimmers and much more Servicing and repairs of all garden machinery Collection service available Our well furnished showroom is open to the public
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday mornings - by appointment only Please feel free to drop by – no appointments needed! Check out the full range at www.mowdirect.co.uk
for friendly advice and guidance on selecting the most appropriate machine for your needs, give one of our sales team a call on
01508 473700
Pet Nanny and
House Sitting Service
Do you need someone to look after your pet or home while you’re absent? Companionship, exercise and care for your pet, security for your home Administering medication, observation and post op recovery Qualified Veterinary Nurse with 20 years experience and knowledge No request too small
Contact Helen on 07538 701806 www.pawsconsultancy.co.uk info@pawsconsultancy.co.uk
A. Sillett Tree Surgeon
Covering Norwich and South Norfolk All tree & hedge work undertaken | Qualified & insured Visit website for customer testimonials and more
01508 218657 / 07818 418074
Brick Kiln Lane, Morningthorpe, Long Stratton, Norwich, NR15 2LH
Amza Cottage, Swardeston Lane, East Carleton, NR14 8LF
www.asilletttreesurgeon.co.uk
WINDOW & DOOR REPAIRS UPVC, Aluminium & Timber
Replacement of Locks, Hinges, Handles, Letterboxes, Patio Wheels, Double Glazed Units including Velux Windows & Door Adjustments,Cat Flaps and Fly Screens
We also supply & fit UPVC Windows & Doors 10 year Insurance Backed Guarantee on every installation
For a no nonsense, reliable & honest service call Chris at C&M Glass on
01953 630005 or 07900 265995 email: c.highe@btinternet.com The number one choice for Norfolk & Suffolk village people 26
Clearing up after the storm S by Joan Garnham, Waveney Tree Specialists
ince late October the UK has been battered by strong winds and heavy rain and this has wreaked havoc with trees. Storms will affect weak points on the tree, which have often been caused by previous wind damage. The tree may remain structurally sound for many years but decay can develop requiring the tree to be removed before it blows down and causes damage or danger.
It is wise to ask a reputable tree specialist to assess any damage. Broken boughs should be trimmed back wherever possible to minimise the risk of wound infection. If the
tree comes down it may be due to either rot in the root ball and/or heavy rain may have softened or washed away the earth. In this area many trees are protected with a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or are in a conservation area. Permission is needed to work on these trees. Exceptions to this are if the tree has fallen over or is at risk of falling over; however advice should be sought from the local tree oďŹƒcer or tree surgeon before work commences. Trees are particularly suited to surviving quite strong winds so a swaying tree does not necessarily mean a dangerous one. Prevention is better than cure.
Check your trees tr regularly gularly for fo signs of rot (fungi of any kind or splits in the trunk). If these are present you may be able to reduce the risk and rejuvenate the tree by careful reduction in the canopy – this is best carried out by a qualified tree surgeon. Waveney Tree Specialists would like to thank all of their customers for being so patient during the recent storms; they created 6-8 weeks extra work to make people safe!
27
Home & Garden
NORWICH
SWAINSTHORPE
Les Balls
FENCING SERVICES Manufacturer and supplier of all types of fencing
RUSTIC LAP PANELS 6x6 6x5 6x4 6x3
£20.50 £19.50 £17.50 £15.00
PICKET FENCING Pointed or Round Tops 6x4 6x3
£18.00 £16.00
CLOSE BOARD FENCING 6x6 6x5 6x4 6x3
£31.00 £30.00 £28.00 £26.00
Winter’s here
Firewood now ready to order! Hardwood £4 per net. Softwood £3.50 per sack. Delivery on orders over 10 bags.
FREE QUOTATIONS
01508 471736 or 07909 032344
Yard Sales: Greenacres, Brick Kiln Lane, Swainsthorpe 28
On Your P lot –
Now is the time to go undercover It’s still pretty chilly during February but planting seedlings under glass (or plastic) can give you a great start for the season ahead. A bit of time and money invested now in a polytunnel or greenhouse will give you benefits for years to come. Can’t wait for Spring to come? There are plenty of vegetables that can be started off indoors now.
T
he days are getting a little longer, green shoots are starting to appear and we’re all just itching to get out in the garden now. Just one problem - it’s still likely to be blooming cold!
Extremes in weather are typical for this month so even if we do have a warmer spell I wouldn’t be in too much of a hurry to start sowing seeds outdoors. It’s at this time of year that having some undercover growing space is a real boon - not least because it’s so much more of a pleasure working in a protected environment, basking in the glory of those few rays of sun, than it is feeling a gale force wind that seems as if it’s come from the arctic! If you don’t have a greenhouse, polytunnel or cold frame then why not think about investing in one now? Get it built in February and you can get a head start on many plants for the season to come. Which is best? Consider the space available - if space is limited then a cold frame, may be a good option. Greenhouses can offer lots of benefits but are generally not a great idea if your garden is also the kids play area and they can be hugely expensive. On the plus side, they are not easy to get rid of so if you’re prepared for a bit of work you may be able to pick up a secondhand one very cheaply providing you are happy to dismantle and move it yourself (try free cycle). We opted for a polytunnel, which was very reasonable in price and gave us several weekends of entertainment
Jobs for Febru
ary
• Erect a cold fra
me, polytunne
• Plant out onio
l or greenhouse .
n sets
• Sow tomatoe
s indoors
• Chit seed pota
toes
• Sow early beet • Plant soft fruit
root and summ
bushes
er cabbages
building it. Follow the instructions carefully, don’t rush it and you’ll need at least two of you when it comes to putting the plastic on. With both greenhouses and polytunnels you need to remember that they can become very hot in the summer, so ensure that adequate ventilation is available. So, now that you have this great new space, what can you plant in it? Early tomatoes can be started off in pots and if you plant some summer cabbages now you can get them established and benefit from a crop by late spring or early summer. Cucumbers, beetroot, leeks and lettuces can also be sown indoors and if you want to try something a little more exotic why not plant some peppers, aubergines and even a melon? This is also a good month to think about soft fruit. Most fruit bushes, trees and canes need time to get established before you start to get a good yield and it is easy to overlook them in favour of crops that give a quicker return. If you don’t have any fruit growing on your plot how about adding just one type of fruit each year? You could plant raspberry canes this month, or incorporate a gooseberry or blackcurrant bush into your border. If you have pot grown strawberries that have spent the winter indoors then place them outside as they will only flower after exposure to cold weather. Plants that have over wintered outside can be brought in now.
29
Home & Garden
C.L.Fielder
Sustainable British Firewood Logs are cut to approximately 10" lengths and split, ready to go on your open fire, wood burner or multi-fuel stove.
T: 01953 604897
Sustainably sourced seasoned firewood AVAILABLE NOW Truck loads Sack barrow bags Net bags Kindling
House Coal Smokeless Coal
www.clfwoodfuel.co.uk
WOODLAND CONTRACTOR
Raven Stoves
fully bespoke design and installation service
Supply of quality wood stoves Exclusive range
30
Crown House I The Street I Hinderclay I Diss I IP22 1HX
Great Advice
t: 01379 898661 w: www.ravenstoves.co.uk
Beautiful Showroom
estate agency!
1. Home buyers rarely visit agent’s offices 95% of customers find their properties online which means house buyers rarely visit the high street anymore. 2. Advertising sells the agent not the property Expensive advertising promotes estate agents and their services. This explains why agents advertise sold properties, it looks good! 3. All agents are the same (us included!) By that we mean they all do the same tasks outlined by the National Association of Estate Agents: for example, valuation to key exchange. It’s how they do it and what they charge that should be used as the differentiator. 4. finding houses to sell is the most important task of the day Selling property is, in the main, covered by the internet, which means that the key focus is getting houses on the books. Different estate agents employ many It’s easy to see why we call ourselves ‘a new breed of estate agents’. New pricing, new values and new methods!
Chris Sa rgisson (Founde r)
5 things worth knowing about
different and varied tactics to achieve this from subtle branding campaigns to actually knocking on doors or ‘touting’ as it’s known. 5. Discounted fees might not save you money High street estate agents struggle with fee reduction. If their average commission drops then their business model, based on high income from a low number of sales becomes unsustainable. So advertising money off deals like ‘ £500 off ’ work by not actually telling you what the starting fee is in the first place or dropping the percentage a little which when translated into actual cash is ‘small change’.
for good, local, honest estate agency at a fair price call House Revolution on 01603 679070
Tel. 01603 679070
www.houserevolution.com
Cabinville Garden Cabins www.cabinville.co.uk
QUALITY AT DISCOUNT PRICES Home Office • BBQ Cabins • Gym • Games Room • Teenagers Own Space Garage • Workshop • Art Studio • Music Room • Treatment Room Fast Delivery & Full Support from a company that cares For advice and information contact our friendly expert team Cabins on display (View by appointment only)
01379 687 467
Church Farm, Church Lane, Bressingham, Diss IP22 2AE
31
Home & Garden
Larkins Fuel Merchants Buy with confidence from your local independent approved supplier
Area distributors of
CERTIFICATION MARK
Certainly Wood’s kiln dried logs are recommended by the UK’s major stove manufacturers and distributors
Consistent high quality every time
We also sell Kindling, Firelighters & Coal Bunkers and supply Farm Shops, Convenience Stores & Garages with a range of products
THE UK’S FIRST HETAS APPROVED FIREWOOD SUPPLIER
The Coal Yard, Old Buckenham, Norfolk NR17 1PE
Tel 01953 861145
COAL & SMOKELESS FUEL
www.coalandlogsnorfolk.co.uk
50kg open sacks or 25kg pre-packed bags
Your local, family owned, independent Fuel supplier Competitive Heating Oil prices Order online or by phone on 01953 457057 Local company delivering a reliable local service
Contact the team today! www.rix.co.uk
eastanglia@rix.co.uk
01953 457057
East Anglia & Suffolk 32
Local businessman wins Prince’s Trust award
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Award recognises young people who have overcome come serious difficulties in order to achieve success in creating a sustainable business. We caught up with the 2013 winner, Danny Corder, to hear his story.
D
anny, 27, from Norwich, was nine when his family broke up. Dyslexia, undiagnosed at the time, blighted his school days and he rebelled at a young age, leaving with few qualifications. Scraping by with irregular, poorlypaid jobs, Danny increasingly turned to late night drinking and partying for comfort.
Danny joined The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme which helps young people to start up in business. Impressed by his understanding of the industry and his ideas and enthusiasm, The Trust supported Danny with a loan, put him in touch with a business mentor, and in 2012 he founded Blitz Cleaned.
When he became unemployed and had nowhere to live he knew his life had to change.
As well has helping Danny gain professional accreditation, his Trust mentor helped him look outside the box, turn his ideas into realistic goals and access more financial support to buy equipment and promote his business.
“I had to get away from the late night drinking, the partying and the social scene. I made a leap of faith, and moved to Norwich with limited funds, my van, and the determination to set up my own cleaning business.”
As Danny’s reputation for excellent customer service grew, so too did his business. Profits rose five-fold last
year, and Blitz Cleaned appeared in the top three ‘Norfolk Trusted Traders’. Danny now employs a full-time staff member, and has won a contract with a large community sports facility. He is really proud of how far he’s come and is determined to build on its success. If you need carpets, floors or upholstery cleaned, then give Danny a call on 07716 475 415 or visit www.blitzcleaned.com for more information.
NORFOLK TRUSTED TRADER NCCA QUALIFIED FULLY INSURED
FREE SURVEYS FREE QUOTES NO OBLIGATION
CARPET, UPHOLSTERY & HARD FLOOR CLEANING SPECIALISTS Before & After We provide some of the best cleaning results and fastest drying times in the industry, whilst advising our customers on how to maintain these results.
Through the Norfolk Trusted Trader scheme, we have achieved a 9.9 / 10 rating from our customer reviews. These can be found on our website.
Trained by the NCCA and being a Norfolk Trusted Trader gives our customers the confidence they’ve made the right choice.
t: 01508 218 329 m: 07716 475 415 w: www.blitzcleaned.com e: contact@blitzcleaned.com
With our eco-friendly techniques, machinery and chemicals, not only do we achieve flawless results, we also look after the environment.
9.9/10
Norfolk
Trusted Trader
33
PUTTING “FLESH ON THE BONES”
Of Your Ancestors
A
Local historian and professional genealogist, Sarah Doig, offers her top tips for exploring your family history.
t this time of year many people start delving into their family history, spurred on by tales told around the Christmas dinner table by the older generation. For some this turns into an absorbing and obsessive hobby trying not only to extend your ancestry back further in time but also to search for information which will put “flesh on the bones” of your ancestors.
There is an amazing wealth of documentation stretching back many centuries which feature our forebears including parish registers, probate copies of wills, passenger lists, manorial court rolls and business directories, to name but a few. In this article I simply don’t have the space to give advice on all aspects of genealogy. Instead, I thought I would offer three tips to help you on your journey of discovery:
Find out what really happened to your ancestors
34
An 1861 census enumerator visiting a family
DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ IN OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS One of the key sources of information about our 19th and early 20th century ancestors are the census returns. My three times great grandfather, John Richards, appears to have suffered from delusions of grandeur, since after many decades stating to successive census enumerators his place of birth as either Shoreham or Brighton in Sussex, told the official compiling information for the 1881 census that he was born “on the High Seas”. But I suppose this was from the man who started life (although again according to what he told the census men) as a solicitor and ended his days as a lodging house keeper. He eventually died of gout. So don’t believe everything you read in official documents: the information is only as reliable as the person providing the facts.
FAMILY LEGENDS USUALLY CONTAIN AN ELEMENT OF TRUTH Local newspapers, and sometimes even national ones, can prove invaluable in seeking out the truth about family legends where other documentation no longer exists. I was asked recently by a client to try to find out whether there was any truth in the family story that her great, great grandmother died whilst walking through a snowstorm to the local farm to collect milk. Her death certificate of March 1892 referred to death from heart failure at the age of 47. However, it also crucially said that the death certificate was ordered by the coroner following an inquest into her death. Sadly the relevant records of coroner’s inquests no longer survived – very few do – and so I turned to local newspapers to see whether they had covered the inquest. Indeed they did. The local paper of 12th March 1892 reported that Fanny Brown had been walking with her husband up the footpath to the village, when she had experienced difficulty in breathing and had become too exhausted to continue. Her husband carried her to a nearby farm where she had died before the doctor arrived. I then checked the Meteorological Office’s archive of monthly weather reports to see whether there was any snow in March of 1892. Sadly none was reported. So although my client’s great, great grandmother did die after being taken to a nearby farm when she had become ill, the old family story of her dying in a snowstorm on her way to collect milk was largely untrue. Many of us have such stories handed down over the generations and most of these turn out to have an element of truth in them.
BE PREPARED FOR SOME SHOCKS The centenary this year of the outbreak of the First World War will no doubt see a surge in people wanting to know more about their ancestors’ war service. I had a client who wanted to know whether any records existed of what her grandfather did in the war: as with many others who survived the horrors, he had never spoken about it to her when she was a child. Sadly a large number of service records for those who served in the Great War were destroyed in the bombing of London during the Second World War. Happily,
rld War e a First Wo Do you hav ily? m fa r u yo soldier in
though, for my client’s grandfather I was able to locate a number of papers which comprise his pension record. It appeared from this file that he had actually joined the army some years before the war but had been discharged, unfit for duty, in 1917. His record lists each posting her grandfather had had during his army career, as well as promotions from private through to corporal. Further on, however, the reading became rather uncomfortable. It appeared that some time between enlistment and discharge, this married soldier acquired a tattoo on his right forearm bearing the name “Lizzie”. This was neither his wife’s nor his daughter’s name…. And the worse shock was still to come in the final few pages of the pension record which details the army doctor’s comments following a medical examination. He concludes that the soldier’s serious deterioration in his eyesight was most likely to have been caused by contracting syphilis. So the moral of this last tale is that when delving into your family history, you might find some unwelcome facts. Nevertheless if you are prepared for this, I am sure you will not be disappointed with the wonderful details you uncover which certainly put “flesh on the bones” of your ancestors. If you would like to discover more about the history of your family or house then Sarah can help. Give her a call on 01379 890215 or visit www.ancestral-heritage.co.uk to find out more.
35
Home & Garden
Money Properties 16 Market Street Wymondham NR18 0BB
Wymondham £279,950 FOR SALE
Wymondham £273,000 FOR SALE
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01953 423006
post@moneyproperties.co.uk
Are you paying too much to sell your house?
“The local name you can trust!” Established Independent Estate Agent Strong Customer Skills Mature Professional Staff Extensive Local Knowledge
Money Lettings 7a Whartons Court, Wymondham NR18 0UQ
01953 601300 post@moneylettings.co.uk
Why choose Moneylettings? • We take pride in the professional services we offer to both our landlords and tenants • We are large enough to compete but small enough to care • No hidden extra charges • No charge for inventories • Professional, friendly and polite employees who will do their utmost to ensure a streamline service
36
www.moneyproperties.co.uk
Chris Bell - Tye Plasterer • Plastering • Float & Set • Re-skimming • Plaster Boarding • Floor Screeding • External plastering
m: 07810 887591 e: chrisbelltye@gmail.com w: www.plasterersnorfolk.co.uk
CJ’S MACHINERY Quality Service & Repair To All Your Lawn & Garden Machinery
Tel: 01603 811808 Mob: 07799 847026 Email: enquiries@cjgardenmachinery.co.uk Web: www.cjgardenmachinery.co.uk 3 Station Lane, Hethersett, Norwich NR9 3AX
SM PEST CONTROL SERVICES
Pest control services cut for
Breckland residents
B
reckland Council will be withdrawing their pest control service from April this year, affecting many Village People readers.
Breckland’s cabinet agreed to cancel the service from April in a bid to save £46,100 per year. At the moment, the council will deal with rodent problems in domestic properties for free, while it charges for the treatment of fleas, bed bugs and other insect infestations. Commercial properties currently pay for all services. The decision was made after discussions with the public about how to save money – known as the “Could we – Should we” consultations. Concerns have been raised about the decision to withdraw pest services, particularly over the danger caused by people trying to tackle the problem themselves, or even worse, not tackling the problem at all. We spoke to local pest control expert, Steve Mayhew: “My business, SM Pest Control, was the pest control contractor for Breckland Council for 4 years. We have provided and continue to provide a first-class, friendly and professional service to homes and businesses in the area. Now that Breckland Council has decided to give up the service local services we’d be more than happy to help with your pest control problems. Don’t take the risk with expensive D.I.Y. products – leave it to the experts and give us a call.” If you’re in need of some help with pests, give Steve and his team a call on 01953 440 015 and mention Village People Magazine for a special discount.
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STEVE: 07990 512087
www.smpestcontrol.com info@smpestcontrol.com 37
Make your own Chicken Liver Parfait This indulgent chicken liver parfait is currently on the menu at Relish in Newton Flotman. This issue, their head chef Jeremy Parke shows us how to make it at home.
What you need: For the parfait :
550g chicken livers 5 whole eggs 400g unsalted butter 125ml red port 125ml Madeira 50ml cognac 15g fine salt 1 banana shallot, finely sliced 1 whole garlic clove, chopped 1 sprig fresh thyme
For the jelly:
12ml Madeira 1 ½ leaves of gelatine
Toasted brioche to serve
1. Preheat the oven to 100C. 2. Add the shallot, garlic and thyme leaves to a saucepan with the port, Madeira, brandy and salt. Put on a medium heat and reduce to a syrup. 3. Melt the butter in a pan. 4. Break the eggs into a separate saucepan and warm them to about the same temperature as the butter. 5. Warm the chicken livers in a wide-bottomed pan over a very low heat. You are not cooking them at this stage, just warming through. 6. Place the port, Madeira and brandy marinade into a food processor and blitz. Add the chicken livers and keep blitzing this mixture at a high speed. Begin to add the eggs a little at a time until they are all incorporated. Next, slowly add the butter until you have a glossy mixture. 7. Pass this through a fine sieve and then pour into individual ramekins. Place the ramekins on a tray and cook in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until they are set. The mixture should wobble when you remove them from the oven. Refrigerate immediately and the mixture will set as it cools down.
For the jelly: 1. Reduce the Madeira to 1/3 of its original volume. Whilst it is reducing, soften the gelatine leaves in cold water. 2. When the Madeira has reduced sufficiently, whisk in the gelatine and spoon enough over the cold parfait to form layer of jelly (with our dish we kept the jelly separate as we wanted cubes of the jelly for presentation on the plate). 3. Refrigerate for a further 15 minutes to allow the jelly to set. Serve straight from the fridge with a slice of toasted brioche. Naughty but nice and in moderation -
why not?
43388
T
Everything in moderation
he first quarter of this year provides lots of challenges based around what we eat and drink and how we can improve our health and well-being.
moderation and often the things that help you to de-stress may actually be more beneficial to your wellbeing.
In January we make New Year’s resolutions to give up foods we think are bad for us. Chocolate, alcohol, bread and cakes are often at the top of the sacrifice list in our aim to get healthy for the New Year. And then it’s lent, a period of 40 days leading to Easter when again we make sacrifices in what we eat and drink. I am a true believer in all things in
I recently posed a question on Twitter: “What’s better for you – a glass of wine or feeling stressed?” The answer was unanimous, so I poured myself a ‘small glass’. We can always improve our lifestyle with a few, achievable changes. So whilst considering what we can ‘give up’ perhaps we should consider the happy properties of cocoa, strawberries, ice cream and the odd glass of wine and find something else to cut down on
that could also benefit others. Look for independent retailers and restaurants that support local producers, reduce food wastage, leave your car at home a little more often, have one glass of wine instead of two and share your chocolate bar! Now that sounds far more achievable! At Relish all our dishes are made from scratch, so if you are cutting down or even out, we can advise you on all ingredients within the dish and of course where they have been sourced. Rachael Parke, Relish www.dinewithrelish.com
T: 01508 470 548 E: enquiries@dinewithrelish.com Relish Restaurant and Bar, Old Street, Newton Flotman, Norwich, Norfolk NR15 1PD
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NORFOLK VEG BOX your LOCAL veg box scheme that supports NORFOLK producers! local fresh produce delivered to your door for free choose what’s in your box
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39
Home & Garden
Lake & Pond Aquatics Water Garden Specialist
Design • Installation • Maintenance Pond Cleaning • Planting Advice
Expert advice - Competitive Rates t: 01379 652720 m: 07900 370304 e: lakeandpondaquatics@gmail.com
andrew p r love architecture . design . planning cherry tree farm wymondham road bunwell norfolk nr16 1nb
W.P.FULCHER Civil & General Builder JCB3CX & Mini Digger Hire
Renovations & eXtensions PaintinG & DeCoRatinG HaRD LanDsCaPinG GRounDwoRks FRee estiMates
Tel/Fax - 01953 453267 Mobile - 07774 626709 Email - wpfulcher@btinternet.com
40
planning applications & building regulations submissions alteration works, extensions & conversions architectural design consultation & drawings specialist in listed buildings & conservation work site supervision & management excellent local knowledge and contacts domestic & commercial projects
South Norfolk
Design Award winner 2011 & 2013 for innovative and ecologically aware architecture please contact us on
t: 01953 789911 m: 07771 855225
e: info@andrewprloveadp.co.uk www.andrewprloveadp.co.uk
Home & Garden
41
Home & Garden Installation service & maintenance of all type of security and communications systems, covering East Anglia
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INTRUDER ALARMS (WIRE FREE) + CCTV + FIRE ALARMS + ACCESS CONTROL + SECURITY LIGHTING Call for a no obligation quotation for an installation of wire free intruder alarms, providing very high specification without the disturbance and damage to decor running cables would create.
Please Call 01379 890 606 or sales@malthouse-security.co.uk
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42
Be prepared for spring showers with ay our great family giveaw This time of year can be very hit and miss with the weather changing from springtime sunshine one minute to winter sleet and snow the next.
Living in the country everyone needs a good pair of wellies so we’ve teamed up with Jileon, the specialist retailer of wellington boots to offer this great family giveaway. Whether you’re after funky boots, wide calf wellies or the ‘hard to find on the high street’ boots, they have it all. And who knew there was so much choice when it comes to umbrellas; walking, folding, designer, luxury, golf, the list goes on. We spoke to family-owned business The Umbrella Shop, who specialise in quality umbrellas. They’ve fast become known as the ‘one stop brollie shop’.
The Prize
We have two pairs of gorgeous extra wide fit Polka-Dot Wellies worth £49 each. Their double gusseted patented design will easily accommodate calf circumferences of 50cm and are available in Multi
Coloured Polka Dot, Red and White Spots, Pink Floral or Midnight Blue designs.
PLUS
A range of five umbrellas for the whole family including the hugely popular Hunter ladies bubble umbrella with yellow trim and matching handle worth £25. These birdcage umbrellas or bubble umbrellas are fantastic, and are very popular with people all over the world due to their transparent high grade PVC cover for ease of vision when walking. The bold Hunter logo and a wide fabric band gives stand out appeal. The steel shaft and fibreglass ribs are both strong and light, making this umbrella easy to use. The handle is solid acrylic, and the Hunter emblem features on the poppers and also on the fixing band.
WIN WIN WIN To be in with a chance of winning this great family giveaway worth over £200 simply send us an email including your name, address and daytime telephone number to
competition@village-people.info Closing date for entries is Monday 31st March and the winner will be chosen at random. Usual Village People rules apply.
Check out these great websites as both British companies aim to provide fantastic customer service, and if you need advice, you can call or email them. You may not be able to see them in shops, but they are truly passionate about how important customer contact is, so don’t be shy and call them if you need help! www.jileon.com and www.theumbrellashop.co.uk
43
Home & Garden
From flooring through to remnants and rugs, we’ve got 1000s of options in store.
Open Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Thurs 9am–9pm, Sun 10am–4pm Howard House, 46–50 Sawmills Road,Diss, IP22 4DA Tel: 01379 644081 www.johndoediss.co.uk
44
Home & Garden
J Moon
Home Improvements
Postmill Close, Wymondham, NR18 0NL
01953 601522 Traditional Conservatories “A� Rated Energy Windows Residential & Bi-Folding Doors Extension Work FENSA & CPA Registered www.jmoonhomeimprovements.co.uk
The SuperLite Roof Replacement System also for New Build Structures
45
Home & Garden
First class treatment!
Uplands Way Vets is a long established practice with clients throughout Norfolk and Suffolk. We care for all types of animals including household and exotic pets, farm animals and horses. Call 01379 642 865 for further information.
Uplands Way Surgery Diss 01379 642 865 Connaught Surgery Attleborough 01953 454 945 George Hill Surgery Stanton 01359 251 730
For a full list of services visit www.uplandswayvets.co.uk
46
New Year, New Smile! The Importance of Oral Hygiene for Your Pet
I
magine how your teeth would look and how your breath would smell if you didn’t brush your teeth regularly – it’s the same for your pet. This spring, Tilly Morgan from The Old Golfhouse Veterinary Group shares some tips for keeping your pet’s mouth healthy.
Unless you’re regularly providing some form of dental care you are neglecting an important part of pet care. If plaque builds up and is left untreated your pet may develop the following symptoms;
Offensive breath
Red, swollen and painful gums,
Tartar
Loose teeth
Difficulty eating
Periodontal disease can have serious consequences on your dog’s general health such as effects on liver, kidney and heart. You will be surprised to read that by the time most dogs are 2 years old they have already developed dental problems.
Regular plaque removal at home will prevent the start of periodontal disease and tooth-brushing is considered the single most effective method. It is best to begin brushing from a young age, usually when a puppy or kitten is between 8 and 12 weeks although it is never too late to start, even with geriatric pets. There are also several effective chews available on the market and one that we recommend commend is a Stag Bar which is a natural, long lasting antler chew that cleans the teeth whilst also being kind to sensitive stomachs. It is important tant to use products that are specifically designed for pets.
The Old Golfhouse Veterinary Group are currently offering free dental checks with their nurses. the symptoms relating to periodontal disease then the first step would be to consult your vet.
Diet can also be a major factor in the development of plaque and tartar. Generally, dryy food is best for the removal val of plaque. It is thought that canned foods may actually contribute to plaque build-up and subsequent periodontal disease. If you are at all concerned that your pet may show signs of
The Old Golfhouse Veterinary Group • 24 hour emergency cover • A choice of appointment times • Dog training course at our Watton branch • Microchipping for just £9.99 • Join our Healthy Pet Club for discounts and benefits
Open weekdays 09:00 – 18:30 (closed between 13:30 & 14:30 for lunch) and Saturdays from 16:00 – 17:30.
We hope to see you there!
01953 451100
Daglas House,Connaught Plain, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 2EJ
47
Home & Garden
paving east anglia ltd
Landscaping & Garden Design Block Paved, Tarmac & Shingle Driveways Patios & All Types of Fencing & Gates Turfing, Plants & Planting We also offer a garden design service with a full scaled drawing or sketch All hard landscaping comes with a 10 year guarantee
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info@noblelandscapers.co.uk
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Haverscroft Industrial Estate, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 1YE
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www.norwichsunblinds.co.uk 48
Home & Garden FREE survey & quote
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BLINDS & SHUTTERS LIMITED
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BURNET ROAD, SWEET BRIAR IND EST NORWICH
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Call now for a quote!
Electricians & PV Solar Panel Installers
Bathing a problem? Try a walk in shower • Non-slip safety flooring • Product & labour guarantee • Low price promised • Lever taps & tile panelling • Level entry wet floors • Grants & council work • Easy walk in & out shower/baths • Grabrails, shower seats & raised toilets • Discounts for OAPs, WI members, ex-service personnel, SSAFA & British Legion members
01603 605518 www.ahminstallations.co.uk
for all your glazing needs • energy rated double glazed units at affordable prices • glass cutting service • window frames – upvc & wood • measure & fitting service available
Domestic & industrial electrical contractors
PV solar systems designed, installed, commissioned & certificated Part P Approved | New Installations & Rewires Mains Upgrades | Alarms | Showers
01953 860876 07768 373747 pmbco@btinternet.com www.pmbco.com
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• open to the public • you can buy just one sealed unit
01953 888606 gsultd@btconnect.com www.glasssealedunitsnorfolk.co.uk 7.30am to 5pm Mon to Thursday 7.30am to 4pm Fri Unit 21 Oakwood Industrial Estate, Harling Road, Snetterton, NR16 2JU
49
Home & Garden FoR all youR REmoval & SToRaGE REquiREmENTS
REmovalS & HouSE ClEaRaNCE SPECialiSTS
John Ryder Removals and light Haulage is a local family business based in Wymondham, offering reliable removal services throughout the uk along with light haulage and house clearances. • Removals & stoRage • Domestic Homes oR office moves • fRee estimates & aDvice • 3.5 ton & 7.5 ton veHicles • full Packing seRvice • fully insuReD • 7 Day seRvice
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3 White Horse Street, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 0BJ
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50
Meet the Experts
T
his issue we chatted to marketing expert, Laura Varey of Jigsaw Communications, to find out her top marketing tips for 2014. I want to do something different with my marketing but where do I start? It sounds obvious but start with your customers! Who are they? What do they want? How do they like to be communicated with? The time you have to communicate with your customers is getting shorter. One of the biggest trends for 2014 is personalisation and relevance of communication to customers. I don’t have a big marketing budget… what is the best option for me? Content marketing is going to become bigger and bolder in 2014 and it’s a great option if you’re on a tight budget (as most businesses are!) Content marketing will generate leads for your business through simply communicating valuable, engaging content for a specific audience. How do I do content marketing? Through using social media
platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube, as well as blogging weekly, you can keep in constant contact with customers and leads without directly selling to them. By creating and distributing content, which makes your customers more knowledgeable, they will reward you with their business and loyalty. Is Google+ right for me? Google+ could have an interesting role to play in social media for 2014. Where do your customers look for your services…Google! With that in mind, having a presence on Google+ can only be beneficial in the long run. In addition Google now rank companies with Google+ pages higher in the SEO scoring.
How can Jigsaw Media and Communications help my business? From creating brochures; running national competitions, integrated marketing campaigns, event management, PR; developing a marketing plan; content marketing, to building and hosting websites and managing social media networking, we can do as much or as little as you want, fitting in seamlessly with your own team. To find out more about how Laura and her team can help your business, visit
www.jigsawcommunications.co.uk
or call 01480 459087
What else is on the horizon for marketing in 2014? The marketing world is expecting to see the coming together of retail and digital. Retailers will be working harder to connect the customer to the online store and offers. In addition, look out for the further development of 3D printing; location based marketing; and more viral videos. Overall, 2014 is looking set for a fun year!
If you need anything covered - call us!
We’re best known for our Specialist Boat Covers, but we also make covers for all sorts of other uses: • Log Stores • Garden Furniture • Custom Awnings • Weather Screens • Winter Covers • General Canvas work • Military & Truck Canvas • Repairs & Alterations
01603 507554
25 Ashwellthorpe Industrial Estate
www.classiccovers.co.uk
helping you fit the media puzzle together
a edi ial M Soc ing ons nt me ti nd Bra c Rela anage i l M Pub paign & g nt Cam rencingeme ent fe ana m n p o o C nt M vel Eve site De ting b ke We al Mar it Dig
Jigsaw Media & Communications
Office 01480 459087 Mobile 07884 434263 Email info@jigsawcommunications.co.uk
51
Home & Garden
Else Heating & Plumbing Oil and Gas Installation * Breakdowns * Servicing
* 24 hr call out * Powerflush
Bathroom & Kitchen Fitting Fully Insured
Contact Eugene Else
01379 688183 07787 854923
elseheatingandplumbing@gmail.com
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Got a water leak? Old lead piping need replacing? We carry out all work to the highest standards causing minimal impact to your driveway or garden using thrust boring methods
• Leaks Repaired • New services installed: adding water services to outbuildings, old services renewed, especially old galvanised piping or lead • Thrust boring • Burst mains & more! All work guaranteed and fully insured Working throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex & Cambridgeshire
52
Pork & Lentil Bake
With Apple
This meal goes a long way for a small budget, warming and delicious perfect for a winter supper. Good butchers and some supermarkets will sell pigs cheeks - they’re a great economical cut and become deliciously tender with a long, slow cook. Diced pork is a great substitute.
What you need: Equipment:
1. Fry the celery and the onion together in the sunflower oil until softened in a large casserole dish. 2. If using pigs cheeks remove any tough membranes or fatty tissue and cut each cheek into 4. 3. Add the pork to the celery and onion and cook until the meat is browned on all surfaces. 4. Add the apples, carrots, apple juice and stock.
Ingredients :
180g unsalted butter 6 sticks celery, washed and chopped 2 medium sized onions diced 450g or 8 individual pigs cheeks 450g cooking apples, peeled, cored and quartered 3 carrots peeled and batoned
5. Finally add the lentils and stir together making sure the meat and the lentils are submerged in the stock. 6. Cook in a slow oven (150ÂşC/ Gas Mark 2 1/2) for 2 hours. You can cook it for longer and the meat will become even more deliciously tender. 7. If using diced pork keep an eye on it, but 1 hour to 1 and a half hours should be perfect. 8. Taste for seasoning before serving. Adjust as required. 9. Serve in dishes with crusty bread and spring greens or purple sprouting broccoli.
500ml apple juice 500ml good stock over for any stones
53
Home & Garden
B R Decorating Services
For a friendly & reliable service
Interior & Exterior 40 years local experience No vat Call Brian on
07775 643133 (Wymondham) or 01953 609995
This is 1 of 48,500 copies Want your business noticed?
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*For an eighth page advert in one magazine for 12 months
54
www.adrianbirdcarpentry.co.uk
KITCHEN & BEDROOM DESIGN & FITTING • JOINERY
Peter Cole General Builder & Roofing Contractor
Extensions, Garages & Garden Walls House Renovations and Maintenance Chimney & Roof Repairs All brickwork and carpentry undertaken All jobs considered 35 years experience. No VAT.
Tel: 01953 602305 Mob: 07910 744784
CROSSWORD Across 1. Hoarded wealth (8) 5. Referee (6) 9. Soft leather shoe (8) 10. Soft (6) 12. Characterized by unrest (9) 13. Glacial ice formation (5) 14. Radiate (4) 16. Maybe (7) 19. Rain slicker (7) 21. Dense (4) 24. Out of place (5) 25. Indebtedness (9) 27. Dullard (6) 28. Dark rum from Guyana (8) 29. Detective (6) 30. Cassock (8)
Down 1. Found in ketchup (6) 2. Accompany (6) 3. Muddle (5) 4. Attire (7) 6. Vortex (9)
7. Interior (8) 8. Physical exertion (8) 11. Stair (4) 15. Improvised (9) 17. Thick dark syrup (8) 18. Height (8) 20. Void (4)
21. Sharpshooter (7) 22. Fodder (6) 23. Dictator (6) 26. Lifeless (5)
&
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55
Home & Garden
L
A
EY’S ELECTRICA L H S DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL &
INDUSTRIAL INSTALLATION WORK FAULT DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR INSPECTION, TESTING & CERTIFICATION
SERV ICES
Contact: Richard Ashley Tel: 01508 489088 Mobile: 07787 376416 109 The Street, Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk. NR16 1EZ
Fully insured and trained by The Institute of Chimney Sweeps
07756 294814
Geoffrey Reeve Architect Full or partial Architectural Service from measured survey, sketch proposals & scheme design to Planning and Building Regs applications through to project management, contract administration and completion on site. Any size of project, large, small, residential or commercial
Kitchen Installation - full or part
New build, extensions, conversions, alterations, work to Listed buildings, eco-design etc Free initial on-site consultation
Complete service including plumbing, tiling & flooring
t: 01953 860285 e: geoff@geoffreeve.com
Worktop & Door Replacement
Chris Rush
01379 677503 07917 125633 cp.rush@yahoo.co.uk
www.geoffreevearchitect.co.uk
Architectural Technologist Nick Clarke mciat
• • • • • •
56
Partial or Complete Service Extensions & Alterations Conversions & New Build Work on Listed Buildings Eco-Friendly Design Outdoor Design
Tel.01379 898831
Seeking out the signs of spring If you are weary of winter, fear not! This issue, Jon Tyler shows us where to look for the first signs of spring.
F
ebruary with its dark days and cold winds can give the impression that winter will be endless; but fear not! There are already signs that spring is just around the corner so take the opportunity to get out and get acquainted with them.
The early months of the year are when plants ready themselves for the leap into spring growth but some are out of the starting blocks more quickly than others. Nettles can be found as small leafy plants poking up amongst last year’s stems and detritus. They are the easiest of spring greens to identify being just as stingy when young as when fully grown. However at this stage they are also at their best for eating with the whole shoot being tender enough to enjoy lightly steamed.
Blackthorn (also known as sloe) heralds the passing of winter, at least in spirit if not in the transformation of the temperature. In true celebration style, blackthorn lifts the countryside mood with its champagne froth flowers popping up along hedgerows and woodland margins throughout February and March. As with other species in the Prunus family the flowers appear before the leaves. Hazel is another tree that gets going in February. Look out for its catkins which swell into golden lambs tails, releasing puffs of yellow pollen. Like many trees, hazel has separate male and female reproductive structures rather than a flower which contains both. You will have to get close up to see the tiny green female catkins with crimson tufts at their tips. There is an old saying that March comes ‘in like a lion and out like a lamb’. At least it arrives with a splash of glorious sunshine-yellow colours as flowers appear across fields, hedgerows and woodlands. Primroses and daffodils are the most prominent examples, but coltsfoot and lesser
celandine are also just as beautiful if somewhat smaller. But the grandest of the spring flower pioneers is the marsh marigold. Growing in meadows and on stream edges, it’s also known as kingcup and with some justification as it’s truly the monarch of the buttercup family. With bare fields and less plant cover, early spring is the easiest time to seek out hares. Whether it’s spotting them lying up in a low growing crop field maybe with just their ears on show; or catching them indulging in their amazing boxing antics, a pair of binoculars will be handy as they are easily disturbed. It used to be thought that the ‘boxing’ pugilists were males sparing for territory. It now transpires that this strange ‘mad March hare’ behaviour actually involves female hares fending off amorous males. As well as being ace at sparing the brown hare is also our fastest wild land mammal, capable of speeds in excess of 45 mph, presumably for when they can’t box their way out of trouble. www.wildforwoods.co.uk
Alexanders is another early riser and could almost be the county plant of Norfolk and Suffolk such is its abundance anywhere near the coast. Its robust stems seem to appear in defiance of the cold with luxuriant glossy green leaves and pungent celery/ aniseed tinged aroma. A pot herb that arrived with the Romans, it has long since escaped into the wild. If you’re sure you can identify it correctly, the leaves and stems can be a tasty and substantial seasonal treat.
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Home & Garden Lawson Construction Services Specialising in New Builds, Extensions and Renovations 15 years experience Specialist in plant operations Andrew Lawson
Phone: 01953 789732 Mobile: 07747445001
DAVE RAMSTEAD - ELECTRICIAN • 25 Years’ experience • Competitive no VAT charged • Norfolk & Suffolk covered
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e nc tly lia cen t p o ap re o e e B bl hos Car s! a rt r t d se Po t fo uire cha r s te acq pu
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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
Breckland
ROOFING Limited
Expert Friendly Advice at Competitive Rates!
ACE’S CARPENTRY
Specialists in all type of re-roofing, new work and maintenance
Loft Conversion specialists and for all your home improvement needs!
Tiles, slate or shingle roofs Chimneys re-pointed and taken down Lead flashings and cladding Supply and delivery of materials Discounts for Senior Citizens Long Street, Great Ellingham, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 1LL
Tel: 01953 457545 Fax: 01953 457676 Email: breckland-roofing@btconnect.com
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Changed by the 1950s, Norwich was to alter even more in the sixties. Increased traffic would be met with widened roads and a new flyover, while London Street became pedestrians only. After centuries of trading the cattle market would move out of the city centre and the city gained a university and a new library. In this sequel to “Norwich in the Fifties”, Pete takes a fascinating look at the ten years in which the baby boomers came into their own, a decade that altered the face of the city.
Norwich in the 1960s Pete Goodrum Amberley Paperback 9781445616506 £14.99
Lingwood is younger than the Domesday Book. When King William commanded his grand survey in 1086, the village was part of Blofield and, ever since has been a hostage to history. By the 1950s there was a great need for housing and arable land was turned over to building developments. The railway sidings became redundant, as did the demolished workhouse. Today, Lingwood’s lively population has fine community spirit and in this book Stephen gives celebrity status to this community history.
BOOKS
The Book of Lingwood Stephen Peart Halsgrove Hardback 9780857042033 £24.99
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This is a walks book with a difference. The authors have produced a book the reader can refer to before starting out to decide which part of the trail to follow, something to take with them on a longer walk, or to sit back with on their return to remind them of all they have seen. Many walkers want to tackle the trail without any detours. ours. However, the authors discovered so many wonderful sites adjacent to the main route that they have included their pick of these in a section called “Just off the Path”.
The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path Stephen Browning and Daniel Tink Halsgrove Hardback 9780857042217 £14.99
Robert Toppes Richard Matthew
Norfolk and Norwich Heritage Trust Paperback 9780951787830 £12.00
V
iew your region from a different
perspective with this
Robert Toppes, born about 1400, was the builder and owner of Dragon Hall in Norwich. This book tells of his trade and financial interests, the development of his trading hall and the donation of a magnificent stained glass window to St Peter Mancroft Church. It records time as sheriff, mayor and MP, also his family life and late marriage into the landed gentry class and his close association with the Paston family. His life is also the story of 15th century Norwich and the people who made it England’s second city.
Serendipity Joe Larter
Fastprint Paperback 9781780356792 £9.95
fascinating selection of local titles from Roy Futter of Jarrolds Book Department. John Patchett is regarded as one of the country’s leading exponents in the art of pastel painting and his love for the vibrancy and freshness of the medium is a hallmark of his work. While his subjects are grounded in the landscapes of East Anglia, other locations include Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Over a hundred paintings are featured, providing an overview of the artist’s scope and versatility, while an introductory essay by Adrian Hill gives a glimpse of his art college years through to the present day.
This is a must read for millions of Pleasurewood Hills fans who, over the last 30 years have enjoyed the creation of the author Joe Larter. This is a very personal account from an exceptional man. Anyone who has worked with or been associated with him will recognise a “whirlwind” who doesn’t take no for an answer. Joe believes his life has been a happy accident and this book will certainly be a pleasant surprise. Highly recommended.
Painting From The Heart John Patchett
Halstar Hardback 9781906690519 £24.99
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Shopping Next to the Railway Station Stowmarket
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Thurs March 13th Thurs April 10th Thurs May 8th Featuring Handmade, Local Crafts & Jewellery www.jewellerybyleafy.com/ Attleborough-Town-Hall-Crafters.php
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Call Sue & book a Bath product party for unique gifts - receive a hostess goody bag and raffle prize for guests
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07739 574697
Saving Money
Local lady, Jo Withey runs www.save-money-guide.com, a website bursting with money saving ideas. This issue, she gives us some tips about losing weight and looking good without breaking the bank.
Now that 2014 has settled in after the festivities do you have a couple of guests refusing to leave after the party? Unfortunately many of us have met Miss Excess Pounds. She encourages us to produce curves in all the wrong places. She is quite happy with her rolypoly look but we can do without her company. To deal with this problem, have you considered taking up vegetable gardening? This new hobby will get your body working and you will have the added bonus of producing home-grown food. You’ll save money and get fitter at the same time!
O
nce you’ve got rid of Miss Excess Pounds, it’s time to meet Miss New Clothes. But looking good doesn’t have to mean an expensive trip to the shops. Shopping on a budget is all about value for money and buying what you need not what you want. Here are my top tips:
• If an on-line retailer is offering return of goods free of charge, why not order two sizes so that you can gauge the best fit and return the unwanted one. Sneaky – maybe, but you would have this choice in a shop • Have some classic items in your wardrobe – a well cut pair of trousers, a classic shirt and a well-tailored jacket. These can be dressed up or down in a flash by the addition of a scarf, or different shoes or handbag
Here are my top tips for losing weight without hitting the gym: 1. While the adverts are showing on TV get up from the sofa and do a few stretching exercises. You don’t need to buy expensive weights - hold a can of baked beans in each hand instead! 2. Don’t drink fizzy drinks, drink water instead. It is cheaper, contains no sugar and is better for you. 3. It’s so important to eat your five fruit and veg every day but don’t waste money on vitamin tablets – nothing beats the real thing. Taking this problem right back to basics, there is unfortunately only one real way to lose weight –
eat less and move more!
• Remember ‘high fashion fads’ disappear faster than they appeared. If you must have such an item, make sure it comes from a ‘budget’ outlet and does not break the bank. When you discard it, send it to the charity shop and let someone else experiment on the cheap • Don’t be in a rush to use a tumble dryer for drying clothes. Not only is this item a very high user of electricity, it also wears clothes out faster than normal • Guess who attended a board meeting smartly dressed entirely in ‘finds’ from the local charity shops?
For more great money saving tips, including how to organise a low-budget wedding, visit www.save-money-guide.com Be prepared to be amazed at the amount of money saving tips available to you. Enjoy!
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Shopping
intuchapelfield.co.uk
IN
FASHION With over 80 fantastic shops, cafĂŠs and restaurants nestled in the heart of Norwich.
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Martin Lewis
top eBay buyer’s tricks…
I
The ubiquitous giant online auction site eBay may seem a relatively simple beast. Yet beneath the shiny shop front there are a host of hidden secrets enabling you to pay less.
t all stems from the fact eBay’s a mammoth marketplace with millions of goods and hordes of buyers competing for the same items. It’s all too easy to get sucked into bidding wars, with your finger quivering on the mouse, and then just overpaying at the last minute. Yet a host of hidden tools and websites allow you to hone in on hidden uber-deals overlooked by rival bidders. Here are my top eBay buyer’s tricks…
Exploit speiling mistakes Typos and eeroars on eBay are incredibubbly common. Of course, that meanz fewer people searching for things, so the prices you get are rocc bottom. A host of mistake spotters, such as www.fatfingers.co.uk, www. goofbid.com and www.bargainchecker.com trawl eBay for all possible spelling mishtake combinations which have lower prices. While we’re on it, if you’re selling remember to use spell check. Find collection only bargains near you From designer sofas to skis and scooters, sellers often specify items are ‘collection only’. This means fewer competing bidders and serious local bargains. You can’t yet search for this on eBay, but if you go to my eBay Local Deals Mapper tool www. moneysavingexpert.com/localebay it finds these bargains for you and maps how close they are. There’s also an Android and iPhone app version. Results can be powerful, such as this from my site user Jen_Jen1985: “Had been looking for a double buggy, but most ended up selling for around £40. I found one via the Local Deals tool and ended up winning it for £1.24!” Bag no-bid 99p items Often sellers start auctions at 99p or less, hoping a tug of war will break out between buyers. Many items go unspotted and stay at these super-low prices. It’s possible to scour eBay just for these with 99p spotter www.lastminute-auction.com.
Do you need it? Before I go to much further with this, just a quick word of warning about not getting carried away with bargains. It’s worth following my money mantra before you spend cash. If you’re skint, first ask yourself “Do I need it?, Can I afford it? Have I checked whether it’s available cheaper elsewhere?!” If the answer to any of those is no, don’t buy it. Find auctions closing in the dead of night Listings that finish at anti-social times often get fewer bids (a warning for sellers there too). Pick a time slot and a www.baycrazy.com’s Night Time Bargain Searcher cruises for these vampiric bargains. If you don’t fancy burning the midnight oil, combine this trick with auto-bidding tools below, which can bid on your behalf while you’re deep in the land of nod. Be an eBay sniper… Spotted something you want to buy on eBay? Bid too early and rival buyers bid back, forcing the price upwards. Sniping tools auto-bid for you in the last 10 seconds to seal cheaper deals. Top free auction snipers include Goofbid.com and www.gixen.com. A word of warning though - you need to give sniping sites your eBay password for them to work, which is a security concern. If you do sign up, never use the same password for eBay as you do for other accounts such as banks or email. Don’t assume it’s cheapest because it’s on eBay Never assume it’s a bargain until you’ve checked prices elsewhere first. Use shopbots (shopping robots), that whizz to scores of internet retailers to find the cheapest price. My MegaShopBot.com tool auto-searches the best of these for each category.
Double-check delivery charges, as some sellers hope to recoup the costs by charging a little extra. Though eBay has now set maximum delivery charges for many categories.
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Health & Beauty Manual therapies Established in 1992
Clinical/remedial Pilates classes Exercise referral, medical conditions Lower back pain specialists Level 4 qualified Pilates practitioners Small, friendly classes 1 to 1 instruction available 4 week novice classes held regularly Pilates exercise addresses postural imbalances and empowers you to develop a strong core and remain flexible for life, whatever your sport, age or fitness level. www.shapeuppilates.co.uk
Remedial and Sports massage We have a highly qualified, experienced team of therapists specialising in muscular, soft-tissue problems and injuries which create restrictions in movement and may cause both physical pain and emotional distress. Whether you need help to deal with a specific health complaint or injury, or to reduce stress, you will be in safe hands. For further information email: glebebarntherapies@btinternet.com
Glebe Barn Studios, Norwich Road, Tacolneston, Norwich NR16 1EF 01508 488083
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When is the best time to exercise?
The optimum time to exercise is in the late afternoon, when your body is at its warmest and your muscles are most flexible and strong. Your blood pressure and heart rate are low. Statistics show that people perform better in the afternoon. If you’re an early bird and can’t live without your early morning fix, my advice is to build up slowly, as muscles are cold and therefore prone to strains and other injuries. Having said that, morning workouts can really set you up for the day ahead. But how often you work out is far more important for your health than when you work out. The government recommends 30 minutes of moderate cardio-vascular exercise 5 times a week. But the western lifestyle over the last 20-30 years has become increasingly more sedentary and sometimes it can be hard to find the time. A great way to get active and socialise at the same time is to sign up to exercise classes. The instructors give you the motivation and like-minded people provide the social interaction. Circuit training and boot-camps are considered some of the best all
benefits. round classes, classes providing cardio and strength benefits Viprs and kettle bells work the same way. If you prefer something less strenuous, Pilates or yoga can offer strength benefits, but combine this with walking or swimming to provide the cardio.
In good
HEALTH
For more info on personal training, fitness classes and gym membership, just call Mick at Mick Glynn Fitness on 07879 455966 or visit www.mickglynn.co.uk
There is no substitute for hard work Getting in shape requires hard work and there is no avoiding this. However it can be made easier if you know how to achieve your goals. That is where a personal trainer comes in. A trainer is basically a fitness tool box to help you get the job done as quickly and safely as possible. Having a trainer is a big advantage as people always work harder when they have somebody watching over them. A trainer will help with the two most important elements of getting results: intensity and consistency. You are capable of so much more than you think and it’s a trainer’s job to push you. Working out with a trainer can be one on one or in a small group. They both work well and you are guaranteed to work harder than if you were working out on your own.
If you want to get in shape but don’t know where to start, then keep it simple and go back to basics. By basics I mean exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench press, press ups, chin ups, dips and lunges. These exercises are old but they work and there are endless variations and routines you can do with just these few exercises. They will improve strength, shape your body and build lean muscle tissue that will help reduce body fat. All that hard work will be worth it when you reap the rewards! With thanks to James Gale at The Fit Club Wymondham. Find out more at www. fitclubwymondham.co.uk or call 01953 606 665
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Health & Beauty The ultimate outdoor fitness experience Do you want to change your life for the better? • Outdoor boot camp, gentle exercise, Pilates classes - indoors in bad weather • Sessions in Attleborough, Banham, East Harling, Hingham and Old Buckenham
Lucy 07818 074481 Clare 07771 365732
www.invigoratefitness.com
• • • •
Karate Kickboxing Grappling All ages from 4+
• Classes run by Sensei Daniel Kean-Cockburn, 4th Dan black belt • Classes in Wymondham and Norwich 4 Quote VP1 % for 25
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07931 218065 www.ama-academy.co.uk
Nicola Clarke MCFHP, MAFHP
Foot Health Practitioner • Nail Cutting • Corns & Calluses • Verrucae • Dry Skin
Adult Dance Workout Low impact exercise to music all ages welcome
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Home Visits
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Gt Ellingham Rec Centre
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Dentures Direct
GDC registered Dental Technician
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From simple repairs to full replacement dentures Home collection service available Contact us for an understanding, unhurried service for any denture related problem
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01379 676560
REFRESHING WATERS
Suffering Prompts Inspiring Global Mission Norfolk journalist, Sandie Shirley, spotlights the inspiring stories of men and women from the region and beyond that have seen them reach for victory. For more stories visit: www.refreshingwaters.co.uk
W
oman of faith, Sarah Hobday, failed to make sense of the long-term illness that took her life by storm, sapped her energy and muddled her thinking. Yet during the dark, lonely times she gained divine insight that prompted a new direction as an amateur film maker with a world-wide audience. “I was sensitive, compassionate and artistic but how could I use this to express my faith when I was in the wilderness?” recalls Sarah, who suffers from ME and faces the daily struggles of the illness. She believes the resulting years, when she was too tired to continue as a nursery nurse, brought a treasury of inspiration from her creator’s loving heart. “They helped me cope with depression and short-term memory loss while renewing my mind,” says Sarah from Downham Market Christian Fellowship. Now they form the basis of short, three minute films that are used at church meetings, women’s conferences and are widely viewed through You Tube on the internet. Sarah uses video footage, photographs, bible text and music to convey the personal, divine messages that have given her courage and hope for the path ahead and now inspire others. She also produces a series of biblical stop-motion animations for youngsters.
While in her latethirties, she believes her timely creative urge began to be used for a mission of passion that helped underpin a new purpose. “Eventually I would like to launch my own website and create a library of short films for other Christians to access easily,” says Sarah. Without training or experience, Sarah has made a host of films in colour and black and white, as well as a variety as gifts for friends and acquaintances. Her avenue for creative outreach began four years ago at a church prayer day when a potter was on hand. Sarah stood in front of the potter’s wheel as the clay was being worked and felt prompted to make a film which came quickly and clearly without a hitch. By the end of the day she had used her daughter’s video camera to film a pot being thrown. Sarah explained that she continued to follow divine inspiration. Returning home, she used tracks from her new CD compilation as background which, miraculously, provided the exact length of the video footage. With help from her husband, the film was completed
within a few hours and shown at the church service the following day. “There are so many references to clay in the bible as we have an awesome God who shapes and forms us as he is intimately involved with our lives,” says Sarah, who is a living testimony of being re-shaped for divine purposes. Some of Sarah’s films, including King of Wonders Potter, Brave by Nichole Nordeman and You Are by Ben Cantelon are on YouTube so you can watch them too!
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Health & Beauty
Prestige Nursing + Care
01603 666 643
www.prestige-nursing.co.uk
A Unique Care Home in a Unique Setting Offering Long Term Residence, Convalescence and Respite Care for Elderly Residents with Dementia. The Beeches is an elegant country house set in two acres of wooded and meadow style gardens which provides peaceful surroundings and yet is close to all local amenities. The majority of our bedrooms are on the ground floor and have the benefit of en-suite facilities.
Please call or email for further details or to request a brochure.
“We are here to help” West Harling Road, East Harling NR16 2NP Tel: 01953 717584 Email: thebeecheseastharling@btconnect.com Website: www.beechesresidential.co.uk
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Ancient Oriental Astrology
FOR A MODERN LIFE The 9 Star Ki yearly cycle begins on February 4th 2014 and marks the beginning of spring in the Chinese calendar and also the New Year in the ancient Chinese Solar Calendar used in this system.
9 Fire Star A deep, spiritual year ahead, a time to pay yourself some attention. It’s a year of planning and getting yourself ready for the next cycle. Take care of your health as you may find it harder than usual to recover from illness. Keep warm and avoid cold foods.
Health wise, take care of bones and ligaments, stay flexible and sing!
5 Earth Star
From last years’ changes, you now find yourself in a stronger position for making those important decisions. Your renewed sense of authority may come across as overbearing so remember to listen too. You could receive an unexpected windfall this year.
8 Earth Star You made it to the
top! It’s now your time to shine, show the world what you’re really about, clearly illuminated and switched on! The focus is on you – for good or bad – and people may be attracted to you more than usual, so give yourself some time alone now and again.
4 Wood Star This is your year for change, reinvention and rebirth. Often a fluctuating year, full of ups and downs, so stay as centred and grounded as possible. Not a great year for making major decisions, or to move house. Allow things to come to you! That said enjoy all the attention and possibilities.
7 Metal Star This year can reflect big changes and revolution in your life, often feeling like an up-hill struggle, but rest assured it will all pay off in 2015. Take care of all your communications outgoing and incoming. Don’t spend too long in your ‘cave’ and stagnate, take regular exercise.
3 Wood Star
6 Metal Star You’ve turned a corner and can finally relax, look back over things and say, I did that! 2014 is a year for socialising and taking is easy. Take care however, not to slacken the purse strings too much.
The key for this year is to pace yourself and not to change direction. Complete projects and odd little jobs as you will soon find them stacking up as you gather momentum. You may feel unstoppable and want to take on every opportunity, just remember to take time out!
2 Earth Star
Things are finally starting to shift for you now, forward movement,
opportunity and an upward, progressive time ahead! Make the most of opportunities this year, a great time to start new projects and businesses. If it feels right don’t hesitate – be spontaneous.
1 Water Star
This can often be a frustrating year, as it precedes ‘spring’ in this system. It’s a time to make sure all those stepping-stones are planted firmly and laid out in front of you to sprint along in 2015. Your patience will pay off and allow changes to happen; go with the flow. Thank you for reading and please do email me with any comments or questions at david@freeflow-fengshui.com Full in-depth 2014 forecasts are available for only £6.79 – Please visit my website for more details.
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
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Jobs, Money & Business
Make the most of your retirement
with equity release
Michael Boon is your local Equity Release Council member for professional independent advice.
Equity release schemes allow you to release tax-free cash from your home to boost your finances in later life
If you are interested in releasing a tax-free lump sum from your home then Michael will be delighted to guide you through the different types of equity release schemes available to find the best plan for your needs.
To find out more call Michael on 01508 483983 or visit www.businessmattersifa.co.uk
• Many clients use this money to repay an existing mortgage, make home improvements, buy a new car and even go on a holiday of a life time, while others may wish to offer financial assistance to their children or to improve their own quality of life in retirement. • Business Matters is qualified and registered through the Financial Conduct Authority to offer a valuable equity release service for homeowners aged 55 or over. • Business Matters only recommend approved schemes from The Equity Release Council.
BusinessMatters
This is a lifetime mortgage, to understand the features and risks ask for a personalised illustration. Business Matters is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 301141.
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Local specialists We offer advice in on:all types of medical injury claim • Wills & Trusts including: Inheritance tax diagnosis • Missed Probate and administration Birth injury/cerebral palsy of estates • Powers of attorney • Negligent surgery Fatal accidents/inquests Contact Robert Chalmers on 01603 Ben Ward 703231
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Bury St Edmunds | Cambridge | Felixstowe | Ipswich | Norwich | Thetford
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Ashton KCJ is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Recognised Body number 45826).
Ashton KCJ is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Recognised Body number 45826).
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Make the most of your retirement
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Michael Boon - member of the Equity Release Council
e are all living longer and planning to do more with our free time, but a changing economic climate and pension provisions mean many people don’t often have the money to realise their retirement dreams. Equity release allows you to release tax-free cash from your home to boost your finances in later life and it is beginning to play an important role for home owners aged over 55. In my experience the most important factors for people seeking advice is to demonstrate and be able to guarantee the following: There must be a ‘no negative equity guarantee’ to safeguard your beneficiaries You are able to remain in your own home for as long as you wish You have the right to sell your home at any time to down-size or move into other accommodation, the amount owed is then repaid with any balance transferred to your bank account Money borrowed will be at a fixed rate of interest for life, is tax-free, and can be used for any purpose No monthly payments are made, as interest is rolled up on a lifetime mortgage. If a Home Reversion plan is more suitable you would sell a proportion of your property and remain in your home for life with no roll up of interest on the percentage of the value retained.
This can be checked on the FCA Register: www.fca.org.uk/register or telephone 0800 111 6768 Before deciding whether Equity Release is suitable for you, your questions should be answered to your total satisfaction, be prepared to take time over this, never be rushed into something if you are in any doubt. If you are single or living on your own, consider inviting a friend or a family member to be with you. This will enable you to discuss and reflect on the advice given. In my opinion you should not make any decision at the first meeting. This should be to establish whether the person giving you the advice is acceptable to you or not before asking him or her to obtain further information specific to your own needs. It is an FCA requirement that Keyfacts are given to you and thoroughly explained, this may be from two or three providers to assess the most suitable before making your decision to apply for either a lump sum of money, income or to secure a facility that will allow you to draw down sums as and when required. There are many options available to you hence the reason why it is necessary to be fully informed. For further information on how you can make the most of your retirement with equity release please call Michael on 01508 483983 or visit his website www.businessmattersifa.co.uk
There are many reasons why people raise money using Equity Release: to repay an existing mortgage, home improvements, buy a motor home, travel abroad, help their children with house purchase or to enhance their own lifestyle. Before making any decisions you are advised to seek independent professional advice from a person qualified and approved by the FCA.
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Jobs, Money & Business
Save £££’s off your home insurance with Priory Insurance Priory Insurance Brokers Ltd is a local, independent insurance broker and has been based in Wymondham for over 25 years. We offer a wide range of quality, affordable insurance products to both personal and commercial clients alike. Owning a home is probably your biggest investment and Priory Insurance can help you protect it:
£20 DISCOUNT - if you take building and contents insurance
• Our team offer a personal, local service, based on your needs and circumstances • We deal with everything from choosing the policy to making a claim • We are independent, so we can offer you quotes from various insurers • We will find the most suitable and cost effective deals for you Please feel free to call us on 01953 602866 or call into the office
4 Fairland Street, Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 0AN www.prioryinsurance.co.uk
Putting opportunities within your reach...
Our regional network of branches and online jobsearch facilities give you 24/7 access to a
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Diss Branch 01379 642276 Thetford Branch 01842 761398 Lowestoft Branch 01502 582000
www.halesgroup.co.uk
PERMANENT & TEMPORARY ● ADMINISTRATION ● CUSTOMER SERVICE ● DRIVING ● ENGINEERING EXECUTIVE SEARCH ● FINANCE ● HUMAN RESOURCES ● I.T. SOLUTIONS ● INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE ● MANAGEMENT ● SALES ● SECRETARIAL ● SUPPLY CHAIN ● TECHNICAL
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Jobs, Money & Business
Oops, did you miss the January deadline for your business or personal tax return? Whilst the HMRC welcomes your £100 contribution to their pot for late filing, you will not get away with not doing your annual return. It is quite easy to forget the tax deadline date; you are probably getting on with what you are good at and the reason that you are in business, rather than worrying about the pile of paperwork collecting in a corner of the office, which Mr Taxman would love to get his hands on. If you filed in time – well done! That’s another job ticked off the list but there are more changes on the horizon with the new tax year starting 6th April 2014, plus the staggered introduction of compulsory pension payments for all being phased in over the next few years. Do you ever wonder how businesses get time to do the day job? Sue Sheldrake set up SCS Accounting Solutions in 2001 after many years of working in the corporate world. “January is the deadline for returns but a business does have nine months to get their paperwork organised and filed with the revenue. Whilst it is a matter of being organised don’t panic if your paperwork is filed in one big pile, just get it to
your accountant asap after the 5th April for January’s filing of returns. It is something they are used to and far less of a mountain than you may think – remember it is their day job. If you missed the 2014 deadline DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW”
Sue Sheldrake - SCS Sue’s down to earth approach works with Accounting Services local businesses of all sizes including start up’s, life style and ambitious business owners looking for fast growth. Sue offers a no nonsense full book keeping and accounting service and likes to sit down with all of her clients for a review before filing returns. Her pro-active approach ensures all her clients are aware of dates and deadlines and completed at a fixed cost – so no scary accountancy bills at the end of the year to worry about.
It costs nothing to talk; Sue is available on 01362 691275 for a confidential chat on your business needs. Or email sue@scsaccountingsolutions.co.uk.
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Jobs, Money & Business
Philippa Green WEB DESIGN
Affordable bespoke web sites designed and built to your own specifications and budget using the latest build and design techniques. Domain names Hosting eCommerce Joomla and Cubecart all available Fully qualified and insured.
01953 887141 info@philippagreenwebdesign.co.uk www.philippagreenwebdesign.co.uk Self Assessment always a headache? Don’t worry, give it to us and get on with running your business.
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
We specifically support the smaller business in all accountancy and tax matters. For a free, no obligation initial meeting call us today
Contact Graham Cormack
T: 01953 630 004 E: grahamcormack@taxassist.co.uk Connaught Plain,Attleborough, NR17 2EJ www.taxassist.co.uk/attleborough
This is 1 of 48,500 copies Want your business noticed?
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Smart Money Secrets Don’t let your annual ISA allowance go to waste
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By Andrew Hagger savings expert from www.moneycomms.co.uk
ith the new tax year just around the corner, it’s a good time to look for a suitable ISA (Individual Savings Account) for your tax free savings. The overall ISA limit increases from £11,520 to £11,880 from 6 April 2014, and for cash based tax free savings accounts the new allowance is up by £180 to £5,940 per person. Should I consider investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA to get a better return? At a time when cash savings rates are at rock bottom, there is understandably a bigger temptation to opt for stock market based ISA investments in search of a better return. However before committing your funds it is sensible
to speak to an Independent Financial Adviser to understand the costs, risks and the vast choice of products to choose from. Equity (Stocks & Shares) based products are considered a longer term investment and not suitable if you want instant access to your cash. You can choose to invest a lump sum or drip feed your investment on a monthly basis and there is a wide range of products with different levels of risk, so unless you’re an experienced investor, it’s definitely worth getting some professional guidance. Cash ISA – Fixed rate or variable rate? It’s a tough call whether to opt for a variable rate or a fixed rate account this year. The best 1 year fixed rate ISA currently pays virtually the same as the top variable rate account, however with experts predicting a slight increase in savings rates over
the next 12 months, the variable rate deal may turn out to be the more rewarding option over time. Before you sign up for a new ISA, it’s worth considering the choices out there and which account may be best suited to you, but with a vast array of ISA terms and conditions, you may find following checklist helpful, when you speak to your bank or building society. • Is the interest rate variable or fixed? • Does the ISA allow you to transfer in previous years ISA balances? • Does the interest rate include a bonus? – if yes make a diary note to switch when it expires • Is interest paid monthly or annually? • Is the interest rate only available to existing customers? • Do you have to purchase another financial product (i.e. Equity based investment) to qualify for this rate? It’s not often you get a chance to legally keep the taxman away from your savings interest, so make sure you make full use of your allowance if you can.
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Jobs, Money & Business
the best careers in care
You may be looking for a challenging and rewarding career with a chance to make a real difference to someone’s life. Or you may be looking for the training, support and excellent benefits you need to turn your care experience into a career with real prospects.
Hales Group offers you:
l EXCELLENT RATES OF PAY l PAID HOLIDAYS l PAID TRAVEL l FULL/PART-TIME/FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS l FULL INDUCTION TRAINING l NVQ QUALIFICATIONS l DISCOUNTED PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE l CAREER DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT
Either way, contact us TODAY:
Tel: 0800 0149 103 or email: work@halesgroup.co.uk Working within the local community you will need a full driving licence and your own transport. All positions are subject to a CRB clearance
www.halescare.co.uk
Open 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday. Ample FREE parking at both Superstores.
BRAND NEW HALES STORE NOW OPEN (Previously C J Ball’s Motorcycle Shop).
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Jobs, Money & Business
Cleaners Required Local domestic cleaning opportunities for ladies who are crazy about cleaning!
Give us a call today
£7 per hour We are looking for enthusiastic people who love to clean to join our team! Local flexible daytime work fit work around your other commitments choose where and when you work
From a minimum of 2 hours a week up to full time; and there’s no upper age limit.
If you’d like more information about this great opportunity
Please call 0845 504 9133
for a friendly chat about what we can offer you. 81
Services steve crowland
painting & decorating interior/exterior wall papering tiling fully insured competitive rates friendly reliable service free no obligation quotes over 17 years experience
tel. 07917 669419 01953 713806 stevecrowland@live.co.uk
• Kitchen and Bathroom installations
• Installs UPVC windows & Doors
Phone: 01508
Mobile: 07867
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471765 648066
Supporting Local Business GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM YOUR AREA
Village Peop
READERleS
RECOMME
ND
Just a few recent comments from readers about some of the local businesses that are on offer in your area. With great recommendations like this in every issue, make sure Village People is your first thought when you need a local service.
NORFOLK BRIDES
en in “Having previously be ustry ind ing dd the local we & her I have watched Dalia t also team not only grow bu vice provide a fantastic ser oms not just to Brides & Gro es ess sin bu ing but to wedd looking to promote sion for the themselves. Dalia`s pas dent to see evi is wedding business nd Norfolk Brides” me om rec hly hig &I can
Mr R, Norfo lk
CHRIS BELL-TYE Over the past year Chris has re-plastered ceilings and walls in 3 bedrooms, our staircase, kitchen and downstairs toilet. Chris was recommended to me by a friend and rightly so. He has done a first rate job and is both passionate and knowledgeable about his trade. I have and would always highly recommend Chris to others seeking a top quality plasterer.
Mr T, Norfolk
THE GARDEN ENCLOSURE “Had to write to tell you how superb The Garden Enclosure is in Banham. Ken and Angela have a really wide selection of very healthy vigorous plants. Everything is very competitively priced and top quality. There are some great gardening gift ideas and all the tools and compost and bark type of things too. They have a world of knowledge and are always so friendly and so helpful with lots of advice. Makes us wonder why we ever bothered to go all the way into Norwich when everything anyone needs for the garden is right there on our doorstep.”
Mr & Mrs G, Banham
MALTHOUSE SECURITY Malthouse Security have a great number of highly skilled staff who are always ready to help and go that extra mile. I have had the pleasure in using their services many times and will carry on doing so.
Mr H,Eastside Property Services
Would you like to recommend a service which you found in Village People? If so, get in touch! YOU CAN CALL US ON 0330 660 0325 OR EMAIL office@village-people.info
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Services
Free mobile fitting in Thetford, Wymondham, Attleborough and the surrounding areas
01953 630 063
Looking for a reliable caravan and motorhome service engineer? • Complete on site breakdown service available 7 days a week • Indoor caravan storage facility • Fully insured, friendly, no fuss services and repairs at your home • Motor Movers and other accessories fitted
Oil Tanks Supplied and installed
01508 538929
Pipe Work Gauges Fuel Pumps Spares 24 hour call out
enquiry@norfolkplanthire.co.uk
Established over 30 years
01508 570629
Diggers, Dumpers, Concrete Crushers to Hire & More
07979 846139
Supplied with or without operator
info@pdoiltanks.co.uk
• Grab lorry - our ‘Virtual Skip’ • Ground clearance services
www.norfolkplanthire.co.uk
Watton Road, Hingham, Norfolk, NR9 4NN
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VAN AND A MAN Move Anything, AnytiMe, Anywhere
• All makes and models of vehicles serviced • MOT Preparation • 24hr Recovery • Tyre supply and fitting service at competitive prices • Courtesy car available
Tel: 01508 489066 24hr Recovery: 0779 664 1881
Mark’s Vehicle Services, Unit 1, Red House Farm, High Road, Forncett St. Mary, Norwich NR16 1JR Open Monday-Friday 8 til 5:30. Saturday 8 til 1
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NATIONWIDE COVERAGE Single iteM or Full houSehold reMovAlS SAMe dAy Service Seven dAyS / eveningS Student MoveS oFFice / PiAno MoveS Free inStAnt QuoteS All cleArAnceS undertAken
Tel: 01953 488919 Mobile: 0771 407 3300
www.vanandaman.com Email: toni@vanandaman.com
CARMercedes-Benz REVIEWS A-Class
By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist Twitter @carwriteups www.carwriteups.co.uk
Q
uality cars are identifiable straight away. Even if a premium vehicle had its badges taped over, all you’d need to do is sit in it. Instantly you’d sense the difference between an ‘average’ and a top class motor. Take the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Inside, it’s positively palatial.
The German brand is famous for its refinement, but the A-Class is almost the runt of the litter – and therefore you might expect a more undeveloped set up inside and out. But that’s not the case at all. It may well have been the argument when the old model first appeared on our roads. It was upright, careful and dull. It certainly wasn’t a car you’d list as captivating. Nonetheless, it did sell – and that’s because it was affordable – for a Merc – and practical for parents on the rug-rat run desperate to roll up outside the school gates in a Benz. Then the A-Class was completely re-thought for 2013. It rolled off the production line a totally different car – not just one that had undergone PRoS ‘N’ CoNS . Athletic √ Attractive √ Great grip √ Safe √ Small boot X fAST fACTS Max speed: 130 mph 0-60 mph: 9.3 secs Combined mpg: 62.8 Engine: 1796cc 4 cylinder 16 valve turbo diesel Max. power (bhp): 136 at 3600-4400 rpm Max. torque (lb/ft): 221 at 1600-3000 rpm Co2: 121 g/km Price: £25,110
plastic surgery – it was poles apart from the old version. The entry-level Mercedes is now truly enthralling and a machine you want because of its alluring aesthetics. In some ways it’s lost its no-nonsense practicality because the boot, although conveniently rectangular, is nothing to shout about space-wise. But brush that aside and take a test drive, because the new model will seduce you – especially if you go for the A 200 CDI AMG Sport. This is a real driver’s car and includes a dynamic handling package with sports suspension, perforated disc brakes and cruise control. As well as this, the Merc has athletic bodystyling, 18 inch alloy wheels and a silver grille. Additionally, in A 200 CDI guise, it comes with a gutsy turbo diesel powerhouse. It also has a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel, red stitching, sports seats, rain sensors, ambient lighting and a stereo system boy-racers would be jealous of. On the move, the A 200’s oil burner gets you to a respectable speed quickly, if not sensationally. Road
holding, however, is phenomenal. Steering is well-weighted and precise, and the six speed gearbox is slick, quick, and easy on your left hand. At the same time, the A-Class reinforces that safety is the priority for Mercedes-Benz. In addition to having an ‘electronic stability program’ (ESP), which detects and reduces loss of traction, it has adaptive brakes with hill-start assist. Standard specification also includes radar-based ‘collision prevention assist’, which can reduce the risk of nose-to-tail collisions, or minimise their effects. The safety on the baby Benz isn’t just clever; it’s potentially life-saving. I certainly found the gadgetry helped to alert me when everything on the motorway ground to a halt without warning. The ‘collision prevention assist’ gives you visual and acoustic warnings if it senses an accident is likely to happen. It also primes the function called ‘brake assist’ to ensure maximum stopping power as soon as your foot touches the brake pedal. The A-Class has the vim and vigour that’s required to punch its weight in a highly competitive market. It’s an all-round performer and just the car that Mercedes-Benz dealers need to tempt new customers into their showrooms.
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LOCAL DIRECTORY GETTING YOUR BUSINESS NOTICED
ACCOUNTANT / BOOK-KEEPING Affordable Accounting Solutions 78 TaxAssist Accountants 78 SCS Accounting Solutions 77 ANIMAL SERVICES Whistlers 46 Thornwood Farm Boarding Kennels 46 Swallow Aquatics 88 Uplands Way Vets Ltd 46 The Old Golfhouse Veterinary Group 47 Smylee Pets 46 Eden Meadows Riding Centre 21 Paws Consultancy 26 ARCHITECT Andrew P R Love 40 Nigel Myhill 56 Geoffrey Reeve Architect 56 Nick Clarke Architect 56 ARTS, CRAFTS & ANTIQUES Susan’s Work-Basket 64 Attleborough Town Hall Crafters 64 Norfolk Fairs 8 BATHROOMS AHM Installations 49 BEDS Diss Bed Centre & Furniture Warehouse 55 Sound Sleep Ltd 4 BOAT COVERS Classic Covers 51 BUILDER, PAINTER & DECORATOR, HANDYMAN W P Fulcher 40 Day 2 Day Building Services 82 Peter Cole 54 Glenn Wilson Ltd 82 Steve Crowland 82 Berry-Smith 58 BR Decorating Services 54 DJA Handyman 24 Lawson Construction Services 58 BUILDINGS Norfolk Steel Buildings 50 CARE & PERSONAL ASSISTANCE The Beeches 72 Prestige Homecare 72 Saffron Contact Care 10 CARPENTRY, JOINERY & CABINET MAKER Adrian Bird 54 A1 Carpentry 82 Aces Carpentry 58
Gary’s Carpentry & Joinery Paul West Carpenter CARS & GARAGES Mark’s Vehicle Services Highfield Garage
58 60
84 2 Anglian Caravan Engineering Services 84 CHIMNEY SWEEP A Breckland Sweep 56 CLEANING Home-Maid Domestic Cleaning 3 Oven Clean 39 Stuart’s Carpet and Car Care 60 Blitz Cleaned 33 Norwich Oven Clean 60 COMPUTER, BROADBAND & WEB DESIGN SERVICES Philippa Green Web Design 78 Bailiwick IT 78 CURTAINS, BLINDS & AWNINGS Norwich Sunblinds 48 Cooks Blinds 49 DAYS OUT Epic TV 20 Chenery Live 20 Eastons Holidays 12 DENTISTS & DENTURES Marlborough Dental Practice 70 ELECTRICIAN PMB Co. Ltd. 49 Auber Electrical 54 Ashley Electrical Services 56 Ian Myhill Electrical 56 Dave Ramstead Electrician 58 ESTATE AGENTS & PROPERTY House Revolution 31 Money Properties 36 FINANCIAL, INSURANCE & LEGAL SERVICES Ashton KCJ Solicitors 74 Business Matters 74 EACH 10 Priory Insurance Brokers 76 FOOD Norfolk Veg Box 39 Red Hot Meals 21 FUEL MERCHANTS Larkins Fuel Merchants 32 C L Fielder Firewood 30 Rix Petroleum 32 Les Balls Firewood 28 FUNERALS Andy Free Funeral Director 11 Rosedale Funeral Home 11
FURNITURE & ANTIQUE RESTORATION Rod Larwood Antique Restoration
John Doe of Diss 44 Homescape Interiors 50 GARDEN SERVICES & LANDSCAPING The Garden Enclosure 25 The Green Man 60 Waveney Tree Specialists 27 Noble Paving East Anglia Ltd 48 Eclipse Home & Garden Services 24 D.R.S. Garden Maintenance 24 CJ Garden Machinery 37 Cabinville Garden Cabins 31 Broadland Tree Services 24 Lake and Pond Aquatics 40 Hempnall Lawnmower Centre 26 Les Balls Fencing 28 A. Sillett Tree Surgeon 26 Smart Garden Offices 45 Sweet Briar Garden Centre 64 Eye Gardens 24 Richard’s Lawnmower Repairs 58 GATES, RAILINGS AND DOORS Cooks Blinds 49 GROUNDWORKS, DRAINAGE & ASPHALT T Taylor Construction 40 Chris Harmer 82 Paul Howe Breckland Contractors 82 Norfolk Plant Hire 84 HEALTH, BEAUTY & HYPNOTHERAPY Nicola Clarke Foot Health 70 Hearing Care Centre 15 JOBS Domestic Cleaning Vacancies 81 Key Education Services Ltd 78 Hales Group 76/80 KITCHENS Chris Rush 56 Dream Doors 6 Pavels Kitchens and Furniture 50 MARKETING Jigsaw Communications 51 MOBILITY Mobility Superstore Ltd 80 OPTICIANS Cecil Amey 68
Village People is a trading name of Village People Magazines Ltd. Village People accepts no liability for loss, damage, or difficulties resulting from contracts made through the magazine, nor from errors, omissionsorclaims made by advertisers. Publication of any entry does not imply a recommendation. Readers must make their own enquiries to establish the credentials of each entry. Magazine, adverts, design, layout and content Copyright © Village People Magazines Ltd. 2008-2014
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Diss Bed Centre & Furniture Warehouse 55
PEST CONTROL Deer Stalking in England Ltd 24 SM Pest Control 37 PHOTOGRAPHY Pregnancy Portraits by Amy 9 PLASTERING SERVICES Chris Bell-Tye 37 Trevor D Clarke 40 PLUMBING, HEATING, DRAINAGE TANK & BOILER SERVICES P&K Plumbing & Heating 52 Barnards Heating Solutions 52 John Rushforth 52 C J Plumbing 52 AA Utilities Limited 52 Else Heating & Plumbing 52 P & D Tank Services Ltd 84 Metrorod 9 PRINTERS Postprint 64 REMOVALS John Ryder Removals 50 Van & a Man 84 RESTAURANTS, PUBS & HOTELS Sherbourne House Hotel 18 The Gamekeeper / Inn on the Green 18 Relish Restaurant & Bar 39 ROOFING Glenn Wilson Ltd 82 Breckland Roofing Ltd 58 SCHOOLS & CHILDREN New Eccles Hall School 8 Norwich High School 15 SECURITY Malthouse Security Ltd 42
SHOPPING Chapelfield Adullam’s Cave Belinda Bubbles Bathtime Boutique SOLAR PMB Co. Ltd. SPORT, FITNESS & RECREATION Anne Staffiere Pilates Fit Club Wymondham Invigorate Fitness Lollipop Dance Glebe Barn Studios Aem Hai Martial Arts STONE MASONRY Cutstone Ltd STORAGE John Ryder Removals Attic Access Norfolk STOVES & FIRES Raven Stoves THEATRE Theatre Royal TYRES etyres VENUE HIRE Attleborough Town Hall WEDDINGS Norfolk Brides Wedding Fair WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES C & M Glass Conservatories etc Glass & Sealed Unit Centre Ltd Gr8 Glass Windows Plus Ltd J Moon Home Improvements
66 64 64 49 70 68 70 70 68 70
50 58 30 16 84 21 15 26 41 49 60 42 45
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NOW OPE
NEW GAR
4 SITES ACROSS THE SOUTH EAST
Aquarium
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