Village People South Norfolk edition – April May 2022 (Late Spring) by Village People Magazines Ltd

Delivered to over 63,000 homes in Norfolk and Suﬀolk

TH E AWA RD WIN N IN G LOC A L L I F EST YL E M AG A Z I N E

WIN!

A LOG CABIN BREAK AT OLD BUCKENHAM COUNTRY PARK

April / May 2022

W IN TICKE TS TO S EE PA LOM A FAI T H LOV ELY LO C AL WA LK AT SAX LINGH AM NE TH E RGATE

GRAIN BOWL RE C IP E FRO M JO H N TORO D E

South Norfolk Edition

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Contents

April/May 2022

OUT & ABOUT 8

Good news from our region

Walking for health around Saxlingham Nethergate

The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time arrives in Norwich

59 HOME & GARDEN 20

Village Notice Board

Recipe for John Torode’s Aussie-Style Grain Bowl

Recipe for Asparagus & Crab Linguine

Canine communication with Julia Collins

Recipe for Aperol Cake

Poetry Corner with Trevor Page from Bungay

51 33

Garden Jottings from The Garden Enclosure

HEALTH, STYLE, FASHION & BEAUTY

Greenﬁngers with Alan Titchmarsh

WIN a 2-night stay at Old Buckenham Country Park

Fashion - Bold & bright clothes for spring

Health - Physiotherapy Q&As

Health - spotlight on female health

WIN tickets to see Paloma Faith at Newmarket Racecourse

Sustainable beauty with Madeleine White

Art - Love & Linocuts in Lowestoft

WIN £100 M&S voucher

Memories of Long Stratton

History - An East Anglian railway icon

Nature - Forncett Nature Matters group

Signs of Spring in the Claylands

Book reviews, new releases

The Queen’s 70th anniversary

JOBS, MONEY & BUSINESS 73

Money - investing responsibly

Finance - are you ready for Making Tax Digital?

Refreshing Waters – the life of Patrick Coghlan

Spring Art Show in Norwich

Find a local business or service in our directory

Exercise your brain cells with our crossword

23 Looking for a particular product or service? Check out our Local Business Directory on pages 80 & 81 5

Spring into Life & GET INTO YOUR GARDEN Bedding plants homegrown in

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WELCOME TO THE LATE SPRING ISSUE Beautiful Old Buckenham Country Park

Advertise with us! Reliably delivered by Royal Mail, reaching 63,000 homes every two months. Four editions of Village People provide unrivalled coverage of Norfolk and Suffolk, reaching more homes than ANY other local magazine. For more information, call our friendly team on 01284 788623 or send an email to editor@village-people.info

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @vpmagazine Read all our magazines issuu.com/villagepeoplemag Visit our website to ﬁnd out more www.village-people.info

NEXT DEADLINE 20 APRIL June/July (Early Summer issue) Delivered to over 63,000 homes in Norfolk and Suﬀolk

THE AWARD WINNING LO CAL L IF ESTYLE MAGAZINE

WIN!

A LOG CABIN BREAK AT OLD BUCKENHAM COUNTRY PARK

April / May 2022

W I N T IC K E T S TO S E E PA LOM A FA I T H LOV ELY LO C A L WA LK AT SAXL I N GH A M N ET H E RG AT E

G RA I N B OW L REC IPE FRO M J OH N TO R OD E

WINNER of ﬁve National Publishing Awards South Norfolk Edition

ooray, it’s springtime, with warmer weather, pretty bulbs and the opportunity to get outside in our wonderful countryside! To get you in the mood, we are delighted to offer a fabulous giveaway of a 2-night stay in a cosy log cabin in beautiful Old Buckenham Country Park. Entry is a little different for this one, so you will need to follow us on Instagram (@vpmagazine), find the competition post and follow the instructions. It’s easy! And if you aren’t on Instagram, you are missing out, so download the app on your phone and join in. For music fans out there, our second giveaway has 4 pairs of tickets on offer to see the double platinum star Paloma Faith. We’ve seen her before live and she is so excited to announce her summer tour. So hop onto our website to be in with a chance of winning. And, as usual, we announce all competition winners on our Instagram account. We’ve got 3 gorgeous recipes to try in this issue; one is from Australian-British celebrity chef John Torode. I’ve folded the corner of this page over already because I can’t wait to give it a try! We have over 30 amazing new local businesses offering you their products and services for the first

Paloma Faith time in this issue, so make sure you read the magazine from cover to cover. We are also pleased to oﬀer you a packed full page of local events for our Village Notice Board…long overdue! Our print circulation is on the up again, so if you’re a local business and you want to reach more people than ANY other local magazine, give us a call. We’re always happy to have a chat!

Lily

Lily Goulder editor@village-people.info 01284 788623 7

GOOD NEWS FROM OUR REGION: Norwich Theatre ﬁrsts

orwich Theatre is very proud of the wide-ranging portfolio of work that comes to its venues each year. To add to its programming, they have begun growing producing and coproducing work to ﬁll the gap in the county's cultural ecology. This includes their ﬁrst-ever touring production, On Before, directed and performed by

legendary Cuban dancer, Carlos Acosta CBE. This year will also see Norwich Theatre’s ﬁrst-ever co-production, The Birds and the Bees, a brand new show set in East Anglia. It is being co-produced with two other local theatres, The New Wolsey Theatre, in Ipswich, and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, by John Stalker Productions. James McDermott's new version of this 2016 Canadian play relocates from modernday Canada to North Norfolk. The show is an hilarious comedy romp set on Sarah's East Anglian turkey farm, where the honey bees are dropping like flies, just like her love life. The show tackles sex, love, science,

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family and what happens when you commit to those closest to you. Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive & Creative Director of Norwich Theatre, said: "We are so excited about this ﬁrst-ever co-production with New Wolsey Theatre and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, because it allows us to pool the expertise and creativity of three of the East of England's best-loved theatres.” The Birds and the Bees is at the Norwich Theatre Playhouse between 20 April – 30 April. For more information, call the Norwich Theatre Box Office on 01603 630000 or visit norwichtheatre.org

GOOD NEWS

A worthwhile journey

68-year-old retired chef and keen leisure cyclist from Mulbarton has pledged to cycle 4,000 miles this year to raise money for Nelson’s Journey, a charity that supports bereaved children and young people in Norfolk. Michael Bateman rediscovered his passion for cycling during the first lockdown, finding it kept him physically and mentally fit. He then decided to use his cycling efforts to raise funds for local charities. “Last year I raised money for Norwich-based Big C and this year I have chosen to support Nelson’s Journey,” says Michael. “My personal challenge of cycling a minimum of 4,000 miles during this year will

include some organised sportive rides in Norfolk and Suffolk. Nelson’s Journey is a wonderful charity, helping young people to better understand and cope with their feelings about grief. “My organised rides include 'The Southwold Roubaix' on 10 April for 75 miles; The Suffolk Sportive’, starting at Snape Maltings on 19 June, another 75 miles; the 'Black Shuck Classic' on 7 August takes in a 90-mile route round North Norfolk; and the 'Tour de Broads' on 21 August – a 100 miler. “If anyone would like to donate or sponsor me, it will help make a big difference to a bereaved child’s future. Thank you.” Go to justgiving.com/ Michael-Bateman4

All About You

n 2018, with the help of a one-oﬀ grant from South Norfolk Council, Lynda Robinson started a health and wellbeing group called ‘All About You’, which gives people a chance to get together for a couple of hours once a week to forget their problems and have a chat, a laugh and fun with like-minded individuals. Lynda says: “The group was doing really well until the pandemic came along, and in 2020 we had to stop, but I am very pleased to say we are up and running again now. We meet up every Thursday afternoon from 2.30pm until 4.45pm and we are always open for new people to join us. So if you’d like to come along please get in touch, I can guarantee you a very warm welcome and lots of laughter.” If you are interested contact Lynda on 01379 674382.

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GOOD NEWS

Sweet smell of success!

eter Beales Roses are delighted to announce they will be launching a new rose for the University of Oxford Botanic Garden at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. The exquisite ‘Oxford Physic Rose’ ﬁts beautifully within the Peter Beales collection, holding all the charm and characteristics that gardeners over the years have come to love from an old-fashioned shrub rose, but at the same time it carries all the health and robustness of a modern day rose. The silky, shell-pink blooms are open cup in shape and lend themselves perfectly to pollinating

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insects such as bees and butterflies. The scent is particularly reminiscent of a classic rose; very sweet, strong and lasting. Growing to approximately 120cm (4ft) in height, the rose will make the perfect specimen plant within your garden, and equally outstanding in the middle of a border surrounded by herbaceous plants such as Campanulas, Salvias, Lavenders, Asters and Hardy Geraniums. Being so versatile, if you planted the rose next to a wall or fence the young stems can also be trained to form a small climber. Ian Limmer, Nursery Manager

of Peter Beales Roses, said: “We are both honoured and delighted to be involved in the 400th anniversary celebrations at Oxford Botanic Garden. We hope that launching this beautiful and very aptly named rose will help support the Botanic Garden’s mission to share the wonder and importance of plants with the world.”

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GOOD NEWS

Scout's honour

fourteen-year-old Explorer Scout from Saxlingham Nethergate is raising funds so that he and his troop can attend an international Scout Jamboree next year in South Korea. Joseph Tighe has undergone a tough selection process to be accepted for the event, which takes place every four years and brings 40,000 young people together from all around the world. To prepare for the Jamboree, Joseph and his fellow Explorer Scouts will be taking part in a series of training camps, meetings and doing lots of fundraising together. He says: “In South Korea, we will

complete lots of activities and have many learning opportunities, such as pairing up with a group from a diﬀerent country to share our culture and lifestyle. Afterwards, we hope we will become great friends with all the people we have met, and evaluate the experience and what we learned. “I feel this experience will be a brilliant time to learn and improve the skills we need throughout our life, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, independence and being a better, more useful member of society. I also think it will be great fun!” Joseph is raising funds to pay

for the trip for him an his team mates. They need a total of £3,495, which will be used for training, transport, shelter, food, the actual camp itself, activities and many other items. “I hope Village People readers will consider donating to my fundraising campaign – it would help us enormously.” If you would like to donate, go to https://gofund.me/9fffe5f4

We are seeking to recruit volunteers in Norfolk to join a small friendly team. Secretary – Motor Neurone Disease - the role can be split into general or meetings secretary - to suit the time you are able to give. Volunteer Association Visitors (AVs) - maintain contact with people living with MND, their families and carers. Training, induction and mentoring will be provided; travel/direct cost expenses are reimbursable.

Could you give your time to support people with MND? By donating your time, energy and skills you can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by MND. You would keep in touch regularly by phone, email, on-line or with visits. Timing is ﬂexible, to suit you and the person you support.

Please get in touch with Malcolm, Branch Chair, on 01603 960206 or email malchubbock@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.mndnorwichandwaveney.org.uk 11

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The Masked Singer Live

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Strictly the Professionals – London Palladium

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Platinum Jubilee Celebration & Royal Windsor Horse Show

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MILITARIA

ot everyone is familiar with the word Militaria. It’s the term used for military items of historical interest and signiﬁcance, and covers a wide and diverse range of items. These include uniforms, helmets, medals, badges, swords, arms and armour, photographs, books and documents – from all periods, right up to present-day conflicts. In the last few years, there has been a huge rise in the number of collectors; some focus on particular items such as medals, helmets or uniforms, while others are interested in items relating to speciﬁc conflicts or countries. Some choose to collect items from

a branch of the armed forces that interests them, where perhaps they or a relative served - royal marines, navy, army, RAF / RFC It’s fascinating to ﬁnd an item that has been stored away for years, to research it and learn about its history. Sadly, some stories are never relayed and provenance is lost. My own interest was sparked by family members who had served in the Forces, and I have been buying, collecting and selling Militaria for over 30 years. In 2012, I established the Thetford Militaria Fair for fellow collectors and sellers. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength, with

sellers and buyers coming from all over the UK. We look forward to seeing you there.

WANTED D If you are looking to sell items of Militaria, I am always interested in buying, from single items to full collections. Please contact me on 07596 436260, without obligation.

THETFORD MILITARIA FA IR Fantastic indoor fair held in the light spacious sports hall. Around 150 tables of Militaria from some of the UK’s leading dealers – to include medals, badges, books, uniforms, helmets, RAF/RFC, inert ordnance, collectables, ephemera, de-acts, antique arms, edged weapons and more. Breckland Leisure Centre, Croxton Rd, Thetford IP24 1JD.

Sunday 24 April, Sunday 3 July, Sunday 2 October Open 10am-2pm, admission £3.50. Accompanied U/16s free. Early bird entry at 9am is £6. Free parking for over 400 vehicles.

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LOCAL WALKS

Walking for Health Saxlingham Nethergate REVIEWED BY DOUGIE DINGWALL VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR AT CENTRAL NORFOLK WELLBEING WALKS Route by Rhona Shuttleworth Route checked and photography by Dougie Dingwall

02. Go between the trees on a small path, which can be muddy. At the end, enter Saxlingham Green. At a sign on the left, turn left. You are still on Boudicca Way. Pass Chequers Lane on the left, then a road, a phone box on the right and a driveway veering left to Saxlingham Hall. Pass a gas post (red and white) until you reach a signpost for Boudicca Way. 03. Turn left down Boudicca Way and go anticlockwise around the ﬁeld. Be aware of the barbed wire on the left. Again, it can be muddy. At the end of the ﬁeld, go straight through the 7-barred gate. Note, Boudicca Way turns right and if the gate is open you may not notice it. Continue straight on, across the plank bridge and keep going straight. 04. Go past a new barn house with lots of solar panels, and about 30/40 yards past that there is a gap in the hedge on the right leading to Wash Lane. Turn left. Continue along Wash Lane until you reach a T-junction, turn left into Chequers Lane, where there is a ford with white railings, and walk a further 100 yards. There is a signpost on the right for a public right of way.

Directions

05. This is the end of Chequers Lane, at the top of Saxlingham Green – better in winter and a short cut. Turn right down the right of way and at the end turn left towards the church, keeping the hedge and trees on your right. Look closely and when vegetation allows you can see the Terracotta Warrior in the Vicarage Garden on the right. Go through the kissing gate into the church graveyard, past the church on your left and take the turn on your right, keeping the hedge to your right.

01. Facing the playing field, walk along the left edge, and near the end go through the gap onto Hall Lane. If cricket is being played, avoid the playing field and go down Hall Lane on the left as you face the playing field near the road. Turn right at the first signpost along Boudicca Way onto a small track called Palmers Lane, keeping the hedge on your right.

06. Go through the kissing gate at the side of the main church gates. Bear left going towards the road, cross over to the footpath on the other side of the road by the school and turn left. Just before the playground, cross over the road again to the footpath and walk back to the playing ﬁelds.

Starting Point: Saxlingham Playing Field, Church Hill, Saxlingham Nethergate NR15 1TD Grid Reference: Map 237: TM 23343 96921 Walk Length 3.4 Miles / 5.5 KM

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THEATRE

Critically-acclaimed stage play returns to Norwich The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Norwich Theatre Royal, 3-7 May

ack by popular demand, the Olivier and Tony Award®-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time returns to the Norwich Theatre Royal. The smash-hit show is adapted and remains loyal to Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel, which tells the story of ﬁfteen-year-old Christopher, who has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at maths, while everyday life presents some barriers. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. So when he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbour’s dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world.

There are moments of sensory intensity with the technical eﬀects, which allow the audience to share a brief glimpse into Christopher’s world. The impressive set is a work of art that combines projections, compartments and boxes to provide a visual spectacle that creatively plots Christopher’s thought process. The show, like the book, has a narrative that particularly resonates with young people, and the book often features on school reading lists. But this is more than just an assigned text; it’s the perfect mix of thrilling atmosphere and charming drama that makes The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time a theatrical event not to be missed.

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WHAT'S ON THIS MONTH

Village Notice Board Saturday 2 – Tuesday 19 April, 9am EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Chantry Place, Norwich Hop along to Chantry Place this Easter for a free family Easter Eggstravaganza trail. For more: chantryplace.co.uk Saturday 2 April, 10am ONE EXHIBITION TWO ARTISTS The Corn Hall, 10 St Nicholas St, Diss IP22 4LB John Atkinson and Charles Jamieson show paintings with an East Anglian ambience and atmosphere. Meet the artists on Saturday 9 April 11am. For more: matt.kirkum@thecornhall.co.uk, 07759 700140. Saturday 2 April, 10am COFFEE AND CAKE MORNING Syleham and Wingﬁeld Village Hall IP21 4LT Raﬀle, cake stall, second hand clothes/shoes/handbags, books and bric-a-brac. For more: Jacky Taylor at dower1965@gmail.com, 01379 388355.

equipment, nest boxes and donated plants. For more: suﬀolkwildlifetrust.org Friday 15 - Monday 18 April, 7.30pm NEW BUCKENHAM ART EXHIBITION New Buckenham village Hall Artists from across the region exhibiting sculpture, fabrics, ceramics and paintings, unframed words and decorative cards – all for sale. For more: Jon Halfacree, newbucksart@gmail.com Sunday 24 April, Sunday 3 July, Sunday 2 October, 10am-2pm MILITARIA FAIR Breckland Thetford Leisure Centre, Croxton Rd, Thetford IP24 1JD Fantastic indoor fair with 150-plus tables of militaria from some of the UK’s top dealers. Medals, badges, helmets, uniforms, equipment, inert ordnance and much more. For more: thetfordmilitariafair. com, or thetfordmilitariafair@ gmail.com, 07596 436260.

Sunday 10 April, 9am LODDON ANTIQUES & COLLECTORS FAIR Jubilee Hall, George Lane, Loddon NR14 6NB Specialist dealers selling a wide range of good quality antiques and collectables. For more: Kate Lee at kates.lee2729@yahoo.com, 07954994865.

Saturday 30 April, 1.30pm SAXLINGHAM NETHERGATE BOWLS CLUB OPEN DAY Saxlingham Nethergate Playing Field Come and have a go at outdoor bowls. Free coaching for beginners. Experienced bowlers welcome. For more: Chris Lacey, chrisdavidlacey@yahoo.com, 01508499700.

Sunday 10 April, 10am-3pm PEAT-FREE PLANT SALE Redgrave & Lopham Fen, Low Common Road, South Lopham IP22 2HX A wide range of plant stallholders, plus second hand tools, garden

Saturday 14 May, 9am-12pm GARAGE SALES Caston NR17 1DD Annual garage sales with lots of stalls. Maps and refreshments available at the Village Hall. For more: Stephanie on 01953 488495.

Saturday 21 May, 2pm PLANT SALE Flordon Church, Community Centre NR15 1QJ All sorts of plants for sale – herbaceous, annual, vegetable and house. For more: Janet Negal, janet. negal@outlook.com, 01508 471070. Saturday 21 May, 2pm GRAND JUMBLE SALE Lincoln Hall, Hingham In aid of Buckenham House Riding for the Disabled. Jumble, bric-abrac, books, cakes, raﬀle draw and refreshments. For more: Lucy Kelly, info@buckenhamhousegrouprda. co.uk, 01953 888904. Saturday 28 May, 10am BECCLES FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL New Market, Beccles NR34 9HE Free festival featuring over 50 food and drink stalls, many local artisan producers. Cookery demonstrations, talks, world street food, children’s entertainment. For more: becclesfoodfestival.co.uk Saturday 28 May, 11am-5pm TOPCROFT OPEN GARDENS Topcroft 12 Gardens open, including Topcroft Hall. Free vintage bus, plant stall Saturday 28 May and Sunday 29 May. For more: Daphne Beckett, daphnebeckett@gmail. com, 01508 482448.

WA NT TO ADVERTISE YOUR LOCAL EVENT? List your event for FREE by submitting details directly to our website www.village-people.info

For more information on all events including ticket purchase please see www.village-people.info/whats-on 20

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RECIPE

John Torode’s Aussie-Style Grain Bowl Australian-British celebrity chef, John Torode, shares a typical Southern Hemisphere recipe with Village People.

Serves at least 2

INGREDIENTS 4 different cooked (cold) grains – about half a cup (3 tablespoons) of each 2 spring onions, finely sliced 2 handfuls of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped For the dressing 2 teaspoons tahini 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice 1 long fresh red chilli, finely diced

My Aussie grain bowl is a really good alternative to cereal for breakfast, and as a full-on protein brunch it’s just as good, with a few carbs added for good measure. For grains, us Aussies will always mix them up and play around with diﬀerent combinations. Sometimes I have the meal cold and other times hot, with or without sprouted beans. My favourite is the chicken and avocado combo. Enjoy! Top tips: Gather the grains at the start of the week, then put them in the fridge and just bring out the bits you need each day. Grains that are good for this dish include quinoa, black quinoa,

red rice, brown and wild rice, green lentils, pearl barley, bulgur, chickpeas, farro, round barley, pinhead oatmeal, buckwheat, spelt, and whole rye. Cook them according to the packet instructions, then cool quickly and store in a tightly covered container in the fridge.

Small thumb-sized piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and very ﬁnely diced For the topping 1 cooked chicken breast, sliced 1 avocado, sliced, with lemon juice squeezed over 2 soft-boiled eggs, peeled and each cut in half (optional) A handful of beansprouts Salt

METHOD 1. In a serving bowl, mix the cooked grains with the spring onions and chopped parsley.

3. Drizzle a little dressing over the mixed grains and toss gently to mix.

2. Make the dressing by mixing together the tahini, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, chilli and ginger in a small bowl. Season to taste with a little salt.

4. Top with the chicken, avocado and eggs (if using), then drizzle over some more dressing. Finish with the beansprouts and tuck in! 23

RECIPE

ASPA RAGUS & CRAB LINGUINE with Parsley And Lemon Butter Sauce

It’s asparagus time…a short window in late spring when this delicious seasonal star is centre stage! Of course, buying asparagus locally is the very best way to enjoy it at its peak. Try this simple recipe to add a dash of pizzazz to your succulent spears! METHOD

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS 300g dried linguine

1. Cook the linguine in plenty of boiling salted water for approximately 10-12 minutes. Drain the majority of the water and add the olive oil, stir through the pasta and keep warm.

1 tbsp olive oil The meat from 2 freshly dressed crabs 1 bundle of British asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3cm lengths 100g butter 3 tbsp parsley, finely chopped 2 tbsp chives, finely chopped 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped 1 mild red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 50ml vegetable stock 1 lemon, juiced

2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large sauté pan, add the onion and asparagus and season well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sweat over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes then add the chilli and garlic and cook for another minute. Add the crab along with the vegetable stock and cook for a further 2 minutes. 3. Stir in the chopped parsley, chives and lemon juice, then add the pasta and make sure all the ingredients are mixed together thoroughly. Season to taste and serve immediately.

Hot Tips Leave a little bit of the cooking water in the pasta to prevent the linguine from sticking together. If you don’t have any chives, the tops of spring onions ﬁnely chopped is a great alternative.

With thanks to Portwood Asparagus for this recipe. For more ideas on cooking with asparagus, go to portwoodasparagus.co.uk

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CANINE BEHAVIOUR

Parlez Vous POOCH?! Blogger and qualiﬁed ‘Dog Listener’ Julia Collins shows how talking to your hound can help you understand each other better

ost of us talk to our dogs. They share our deepest secrets, desires and woes, but are canny enough not to twitch so much as a furry eyebrow at our confessions and admissions, saving a deeply intelligent canine eye roll for when we are safely out of range! On and on we chatter, safe in the knowledge that we are talking to the dog and not ourselves! But talking to our dogs performs a more constructive roll, especially from our pet’s point of view. I have talked about hand signals and whistles, but, for most of us, speech is our favourite means of canine communication. We give voice commands and, if we’ve thought it through, simple, accompanying body gestures to make ourselves as clear as possible. I ﬁnd that consistently using the same distinctive words increases not only the subtlety, but also the degree to which you can ‘talk’ with your furry friend. As an example – and I think this is a common scenario – you go for your afternoon walk and, nine times out of ten, when you get home it’s your dog’s teatime. We understand that, in replicating the return from ‘hunting’ and subsequent enjoyment of the kill, this is appropriate to the canine mind. But I sometimes walk him earlier, so it’s too early for tea. When this happens, I say ‘soon’ to my dog, making the ‘ooh’ sound nice and long and I give

him just a small piece of biscuit. It hasn’t taken long for my dog g to catch on – as if he’s removing the salt and pepper from his top pocket and layying down his knife and fork, abaandoning the pleading, deep bro own eyes and relaxing untill proper teatime duly arrive es. I also use ‘soon’ wh hen I am getting things ready for a trip out. In eff ffect, ‘soon’ signals ‘it’s on its way’ and my do og understands. When we are training, or just generally playing in the garden, like everyone I use ‘good’ or rather ‘gooood’ a lot. Whe en my dog has performed particularly well, I say ‘beautiful’…extending the first syllable as I stroke and give a tidbit, emphasising the extra delight at his performance. Choose words that are very different from each other, use them with a simple action, and you can build a considerable dialogue. ‘Leave it!’ can be delivered nice and sharply, and I can vouch for its efficacy even over the banisters when the effect is amplified by my omnipresence! I also find an elongated ‘Noooo’ works well when guiding my dog to find something. In no time he links my varying emphasis to his proximity to the item. Choose your word, attach

it to the dog’s action and repetition will strengthen and conﬁrm the link.

Parlez Vous POOCH?! articles are also available on the Oracle, an audio information magazine for visually impaired listeners, which is part of Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspapers. To access all the Talking Newspaper recordings, go to www.watn.org.uk

Julia Collins @walksoﬂifessuffolk www.walksoﬂife.co.uk 27

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CAKE RECIPE

Aperol Cake The inspiration for this gluten-free, dairy-free and low carb cake came from an Aperol spritz cocktail, garnished with a slice of grapefruit. We’ve used whole fruits, with some peel, to achieve that slightly bitter aftertaste redolent of the cocktail. If you prefer it sweeter, use the fruit without its peel, and add an extra 25g of ground almonds. Serves 10 375kcal 45g carbs per slice

INGREDIENTS

Tip:

If you prefer not to use Aperol, you can use grapefruit juice.

Cake: 2 ruby or pink grapefruit, about 370g each, thoroughly washed 6 large eggs 250g caster sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 250g ground almonds 2 teaspoons Aperol 1 tablespoon grapefruit juice (see recipe) Decoration: 120g icing sugar 1 to 2 teaspoons Aperol Thinly sliced grapefruit

METHOD

and the ground almonds. Add the Aperol, and squeeze about a tablespoon of juice from the remaining half grapefruit.

1. Grate the zest from one of the grapefruit and set aside. Pierce the other grapefruit, place in a microwaveable bowl, cover, and ‘zap’ on high for 5 minutes, or until soft. Allow to cool. Slice half the uncooked grapefruit thinly for decoration.

3. Halve the cooked grapefruit and scoop the fruit from one half, discarding this half’s skin – otherwise, the cake will be too bitter. Put this fruit with the other cooked half, remove any pips, and blitz until smooth. Fold this purée through the cake mix until combined.

2. Preheat the oven to 170ºC. Grease and base-line a 20cm deep springform cake tin. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until rich and creamy – about three minutes. Fold in the baking powder, the grapefruit zest

4. Pour the batter into the tin and bake for about 50 – 60 minutes, until risen and a skewer comes out clean. You may need to cover the tin loosely with foil after 30 minutes to prevent it burning. Leave to cool in the tin.

5. Sift the icing sugar in a bowl and mix to a pouring consistency using the Aperol. Drizzle over the cold cake and decorate with the fruit slices. The cake will keep for up to four days in a refrigerator. The Pennoyer Centre’s volunteer BakeForce make delicious cakes for sale in the café, which won the EDP Norfolk Food & Drink “Best Baking” Award. The café is open Mon-Sat from 10am to 3pm. www.pennoyers.org.uk 01379 676660 The Pennoyer Centre, Station Road, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk, IP21 4QT 29

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POETRY

Poetry Corner Trevor Page, from Bungay, penned these poems after he read Poetry Corner in Village People and thought he’d have a go at writing some himself. We’re very glad he did!

LOOKING FORWARD

WHOSE TURN IS IT?

Longing for the summer sun Barbeques and outdoor fun Winter’s chills are in the past Warmer times are here at last Longer days and flowers in bloom Let’s say goodbye to winter’s gloom

My wife she turns and looks at me And says, “I’d like a cup of tea” “Thank you love,” is my reply “If you have one then so shall I” She stares and I’m about to learn That I must go ‘cos it’s my turn

Families plan for days away Holiday time is what they say Near or far, they have to choose Or maybe on a summer’s cruise Now everyone will try their best To have a nice relaxing rest

Perhaps if I stay in my chair Pretending that I did not hear Avert my eyes and look away She’ll think it’s not my turn today But no such luck and I’m in trouble So, to the kitchen at the double

But summers come and summers go All too quick for some, we know Memories made and good times shared Autumn leaves have now appeared But don’t be sad or shed a tear You’ve just survived another year.

The kettle boils in record time Tea is brewed and looking ﬁne I return with cups ﬁlled to the brim A tea for her and one for him Problem solved, well for a bit Until the next “whose turn is it?”

Are you a poet from Norfolk or Suffolk? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Email a selection of poems and a bit about you to editor@village-people. info for the chance to be featured in a future issue.

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GARDENS

The Garden Enclosure Jottings

e have ﬁve senses at our disposal to help us get through life – sight, taste, hearing, touch and smell – and gardening can evoke them all! If your sense of smell is good then choosing fragrant plants will be important. Many perfumed delights, such as Viburnum ‘Dawn’ or ‘Charles Lamont’, sarcococca and mahonia, are winter or spring bloomers to attract early foraging insects to help their pollination. For the summer months the air may be full of sweet scent from jasmine, honeysuckle, climbing roses or sweet-peas scrambling over supports, while in the borders hardy shrub choices including philadelphus, buddleja and lilac add their gorgeous aromas to the mix. It’s not just about flowers though, the leaves of some plants

such as bay, lavender, thymes, salvias and other herbs are heavily scented and release their fragrance when brushed against or crushed lightly. Our sense of touch is constantly in use outside, and many plants have very tactile leaves. Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears), Salvia argentea and Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ have wonderfully soft hair-covered leaves, great plants for sunny sites. Other plants simply encourage you to stroke them, Stipa tenuissima is a clumpforming light and airy grass which you will ﬁnd hard to resist. A gentle breeze causes leaves to move and create sound, one of the best ‘rustle’ plants is bamboo, grow it in a container or choose a clump-forming variety to control its spread, or try growing

Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Elephant Grass) for a similar effect. Nothing draws people and nature to a garden faster than water, the sound of a water feature babbling away has a mesmerising effect on us, it creates harmony and helps to drown out background noise, so position a seat nearby so that you can relax and listen for a while. If you grow your own food, you’ll already know the difference in flavour that fresh from the garden brings to the taste buds. Now is the time for setting out soft fruit plants which will provide you with precious delicacies for years to come, while young vegetable plants will soon be available to grow on and provide this year’s tasty harvest. Take time to look at your garden at different times of day throughout the year and appreciate all that it offers. Gaze upwards during April and May into a canopy of magical cherry blossom, then down to view the intricate detail of diminutive alpines at your feet. Whether your garden is a carefully co-ordinated masterpiece, or a riot of colour and sheer exuberance, it’s a feast for all your senses and there to be enjoyed!

Cheers Ken,

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GARDENS

GREENFINGERS… with Alan Titchmarsh Horticultural inspiration, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and much-loved presenter, Alan Titchmarsh, talks to Village People about the advent of spring

’ve said it before, there is something about spring that just feels like the world is alive and fertile and rich again, and you can usually sense it on a particular day; that day when you can smell the season has arrived. It's something in the air, in the same way you get with autumn. There's a kind of sourness, a tang in the air in autumn and you can smell things just beginning to decay. And for spring it’s similar, but more enriching. When you see those ﬁrst shoots breaking on an apple tree branch or a hawthorn hedge you know it has happened and come around again. It’s like all those months of dampness, coldness and struggle have just flitted away on the breeze – the world feels like a diﬀerent place. And as a gardener you always have a little moment in February

when you think maybe this year it won't happen, but it always does, and I love it when the ﬁrst green haze comes across the horizon. Of course, that’s the signal to formulate plans and consider the things you want your garden to represent this year, and that’s very exciting. A big part of that is anticipation, which is an underrated commodity. People want everything instantly now because they are able to go into a supermarket and have what they want, when they want it. I quite like looking forward in life, I enjoy anticipation because, of course, when it does happen, it's that much more enjoyable.

Where the garden is concerned, there are a few basics to look out for and check – you need to remind yourself of your plot in terms of sunshine and shade, and its capabilities. Remember, poor soil isn’t a barrier, you can grow all kinds of things in tubs and pots and troughs. And just because what you have may be small, it doesn't mean it's hard to ﬁnd things to grow in it. It's easy to grow salads in a small space, or tomatoes in summer. Even dwarf fruit in

GARDENS

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It’s all there in front of you, so make the most of your garden this year by planning for each month now.

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GIVEAWAY

A blissful break! Village People is giving away a 2-night stay in a cosy log cabin in beautiful Old Buckenham Country Park.

his is a your chance to enjoy the perfect break – whether you are a couple looking for a romantic getaway, or a family of 4 needing some quality time together. Located in 35 acres of beautiful countryside in the heart of Norfolk, Old Buckenham Country Park sits in tranquil parkland with stunning views no matter which way you turn. At the heart of it all are two natural lakes, home to families of swans and a host of wildlife. You will be spending 2 nights in a cosy self-contained log cabin, which can accommodate four people. This superb space oﬀers a well-equipped kitchen adjoining

an open plan dining space, bifold doors leading to the outdoor seating area, and a hot tub that looks over the waterfront. It’s dog friendly too. How’s that for blissful?!

To enter, follow Village People on Instagram @vpmagazine, ﬁnd the competition post and follow the instructions. For a BONUS entry, follow @oldbuckenhamcountrypark and share with a friend.

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ART

Love and Linocuts in Lowestoft Award-winning Suﬀolk author, illustrator and artist, James Mayhew, investigates inspiring art in the region

owestoft seems to be undergoing something of an artistic James Mayhew renaissance, attracting a vibrant and exciting community of creative practitioners. Among these are printmakers Lisa Hurcum and Hugh Davies. It was Lowestoft that brought them together. Lisa, a primary school teacher, was looking to move from Harrow and recapture the magic of seaside holidays with her children. Hugh, an exarchitect, was leaving the Thames and wanted somewhere to moor his house-boat. A whirlwind romance led to Lisa asking

Hugh: “Do you want to move to Lowestoft with me?” Readers, he did! And within weeks they had made an oﬀer on a graceful Edwardian house in North Lowestoft, close to the sea and with ample room for a large, bright, light-ﬁlled studio where they could both advance their interest in printmaking. “We wanted a studio in the house, because we wanted to be able to work in our pyjamas!” laughs Lisa. Hugh adds, with his architect’s eye, how well the Edwardians used light in the design of their houses, and how spacious they feel. As well as creating their own prints, they were keen to run workshops, and their studio opened for business in 2017 under the name 'Paper Works’, which now acts as an umbrella name for the many creative

pursuits of this innovative, energetic and inspiring pair. Initially oﬀering linocut and dry-point etching workshops, setting up the studio involved the installation of a huge printing press – which required reinforcing the floor because of the weight. Hugh recalls: “By good fortune we had engaged two very burly tree surgeons to take down a dead cherry tree the same day the press arrived, which meant we had the requisite muscle to bring it upstairs!” Soon, the workshops began to get bookings, and Hugh and Lisa also presented pop-up events at festivals, like Lowestoft’s Grit Fest, where people could simply drop in to a large tent and try printmaking on the spot. Everything for these sessions is carefully thought

ART

through to allow anyone, with no experience, to have a go and produce something wonderful and worthwhile. Hugh and Lisa have such an open, friendly manner it’s easy to understand why their courses have proved so popular and successful, nowadays embracing other techniques as diverse as cyanotype, pin-hole photography, and ‘kitchen litho’ – involving tin foil and Coca-Cola! For her own printing work, Lisa often creates narrative prints based on her short stories, after attending a creative writing course in Norwich. Meanwhile, Hugh found inspiration for his linocuts in the trawlers in the docks and the graceful nets that shroud the boats on Pakefield beach.“A boat is a very difficult thing to draw, but with the distortion of the net I was able to depict the form of the boat in a different way.” Other artists, like Tessa Newcomb and Liz Taunt, came to use the facilities in the studio, further broadening their contacts with the artistic community in East Anglia. “The studio became a good hub of people either being taught by us or just wanting to use the space and the press,” says Lisa. Exhibitions soon followed,

including one at the Fisher Theatre, in Bungay. But printmaking alone wasn’t enough for this entrepreneurial pair. They soon co-founded Easterly Artists with artist Hilary Barry and her husband Miles, who wanted something more focused than the traditional Suﬀolk Open Studios, to really celebrate the artists in Lowestoft and surrounding areas. Easterly Artists eventually grew to the point where Hugh and Lisa felt they could step back and concentrate on their own projects again. When the lockdowns curtailed workshop activities, in a typical moment of impulse they launched Books and Prints in Lowestoft’s historic High Street. “With Covid, we didn’t particularly want people coming through the house,” says Lisa. At the same time, they felt Lowestoft lacked a decent second hand bookshop, and wondered if they could combine a shop with a studio. “Because it was a romantic idea, we didn’t really think about it very hard before we did it,” says Hugh. They opened in December 2019, setting up the new print studio alongside the bookshop, running workshops, exhibiting and selling their own work and work by other artists. The shop is constantly evolving, recently adding ‘events venue’ to the list of possibilities, with local impresario Paul Preston Mills presenting The New Curiosity Shop – a series of pop-up events, with Books and Prints as one of the principle venues.

Evenings with readings, music and even live art and sculpture performances have been a sellout. Hugh also has a fantastically eccentric bicycle-bookshop, and pedals away to many local festivals and events with prints and books to buy. For anyone interested in having a go at printmaking, in its many forms, I cannot recommend their workshops highly enough. A warm welcome and expert support are guaranteed. They also have an Airbnb in their gorgeous house – with a diﬀerence: you can have printmaking lessons as part of the deal! When I think of Hugh and Lisa, the word that comes to mind time and again is generosity. Through teaching, sharing and taking chances, they really make things happen, not only for themselves, but by celebrating and supporting the art of others. “When we moved here, we didn’t know any of this was going to happen,” says Lisa. How lucky for Lowestoft that it did! www.booksandprints.co.uk Web: jamesmayhew.co.uk Insta & Twitter: @mrjamesmayhew 39

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GIVEAWA WAY

Can you ﬁnd Bella the Beagle? Win a £100 M&S voucher!

To be in with a chance of winning a £100 M&S voucher, simply read this magazine from cover to cover and ﬁnd Bella the Beagle. She looks exactly like the picture of her, but much smaller! How to enter the competition Visit www.village-people.info and follow the links to the competition page. OR a quicker way to enter is to hop onto our Instagram feed @vpmagazine, follow us and like our post. Closing date is 13 May 2022 and the usual Village People rules apply.

Where Bella was hiding in our previous issue: Old Buckenham Country Park – Page 15

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GETAWAY

Enjoy a city break in historic Norwich Lanes

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newly converted Grade II listed ‘Old School House’ is a perfect couple’s retreat, tucked away in one of the most beautiful parts of Norwich – and the entire city will be on your doorstep! The house has everything you need for a luxurious city centre break, including a private parking space. It sleeps two and includes a host of amenities, so you can just relax and enjoy your stay.

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Situated in the historic heart of the city, Norwich Lanes is a labyrinth of mostly pedestrian side streets and little alleyways. It is home to some of the UK’s most creative independent retailers, oﬀering a beguiling mix of boutiques, galleries and beauty salons, as well as cafes, bars and restaurants. Many of the city's most popular cultural attractions, such as museums and theatres, are also situated here. There is so much to explore in this truly unique and exciting city, and everything is within easy walking distance from your accommodation. So you can enjoy everything Norwich has to oﬀer – from great days out to nights on the town!

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LOCAL HISTORY

Memories of Long Stratton Local historian, Dennis Cross from Diss, shares with us his fascinating collection of old postcards, focusing on a diﬀerent village in every issue. This time, we take a walk down memory lane in Long Stratton. 

Taken c1930, this shows a garage and pub on th he Norwich road. The houses and shop on the right reemain, but the Co-op supermarket has been built on th he site of the garage.



The Manor House, c1910, was a ﬁne red brick building with a large moat in front, known locally as The Stratton Canal. It was the home of Captain Harold Hugh Francis, JP. The house was demolished to make way for residential homes, but there are Manor Road and Francis Road in the village.



The Plain, in the late 1930s, shows shops and an early Barclays Bank.



Long Stratton Hill, c1910. The population then was 700. 45

LOCAL HISTORY

 Looking down the hill in 1906. No traﬃc problems here!

 Old Council Cottages in 1938, at the junction of Flowerpot Lane. These thatched houses were demolished to make way for a wider junction.

A

1905 view of the junction with Swan Lane, with a mix of thatched and tiled cottages, and the pub.

 The Street in 1920, taken from the Pulham end. The man with the basket is delivering bread.

If readers have any local postcards of Diss or the surrounding villages, please get in touch with Dennis after 7pm on 01379 651897

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HISTORY

An East Anglian railway icon You can help to bring a majestic steam locomotive back to the region’s railways

n 2011, The B17 Steam Locomotive Trust was set up to build, from scratch, a much-loved locomotive and enable it to run once again on Norfolk and Suffolk heritage and mainline railways. The original B17s, 73 of them, were built from 1928-1937 and were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, of Flying Scotsman and Mallard fame. All were scrapped by 1960. They operated on the LNER network across Norfolk and Suffolk, hauling passenger trains from Liverpool Street via Ipswich/Cambridge to Norwich. Other local major destinations included Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds, Gt Yarmouth and Cromer. They also worked cross-country boat trains through Suffolk, from Parkeston Quay (Harwich), via Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds, to Manchester and Liverpool. Some locomotives were allocated to royal train duties, when the royal family travelled to Sandringham House in Norfolk, including the sad duty of royal funeral trains. The B17s were named after country houses, football clubs and

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B17 doyen of the class, 61600 'Sandringham'

county regiments associated with the routes and geography of the LNER. The ﬁrst of the class was named ‘Sandringham', with the consent of King George V, after the Royal residence in Norfolk, and after this the whole class was known as ‘Sandringhams’. The new locomotive stays with this tradition and will be called the ‘Spirit of Sandringham.’ So what is the status of the project? Enough funding was raised to begin building the Spirit of Sandringham in 2015. Work is ongoing at a site in Sheﬃeld,

and the six massive wheels of the locomotive are currently being made. UK-based manufacturing is used wherever possible to ensure retention and development of engineering skills through training and development.

How you can help In order to complete the construction of this splendid locomotive, signiﬁcant further funding needs to be raised – so we need your help and support to generate funds. If you would like to make a donation or become a member, that would be much appreciated. But we are also looking for volunteers, or anyone who can spare even a little time. We are happy to come to your community to give a presentation, so you can see for yourselves the historical importance of this East Anglian railway icon. For more information on the project please go to www.b17steamloco.co.uk or email: b17enquiries@gmail.com 49

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NATURE

Connecting nature in the Forncetts By Christina Wakeford, of Forncett Nature Matters

ere in the Forncetts we are passionate about biodiversity, so we decided it was time to form an active environmental group. We’re very fortunate to have a tree warden here, who has established new copses and avenues and organised community hedge planting on farmland near the river Tas. ‘Plant a Hundred Trees’ was another local initiative. With two biodiverse churchyards and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, we had a good foundation to build on. After consulting with Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) and the Chet Valley B-Line, which gave helpful support and training, Forncett Nature Matters (FNM) was duly launched. Fifty people attended our first meeting last October, when NWT’s Helen Baczkowska talked about the South Norfolk Claylands, and FNM’s steering group outlined our vision. Our aim is to protect and improve biodiversity in our gardens, fields, verges and waterways, and to connect habitats by establishing ‘green corridors’ and ‘stepping stones’ of planting, so that pollinating insects and

Credit to Ally Rae

other wildlife can move around safely and freely. To this end, our collaborative network of supporters are now sharing their enthusiasm and knowledge, and working together in practical ways. We have a large-scale map where supporters mark their own plot with a green sticker, helping us to decide how best to join up these areas. Size of garden doesn’t matter; a small, well-planted, pesticide-free garden with a

mosaic of habitats promotes more biodiversity than many larger plots. Our recent winter meeting covered three topics: berried trees and hedges to sustain birds; flowers with seedheads providing food for birds and shelter for hibernating insects; and recycled materials to make shelters for small creatures. A related garden workshop followed in February: Make an Environmentally Friendly ‘Dead Hedge.’ Homemade soup provided!

Find more information on our village website: www.forncett.info or email us: forncettnaturematters@gmail.com Perhaps your village could join the growing network of groups supporting biodiversity. Or you could add your own wildlife-friendly plot to Wild East’s Map of Dreams. wildeast.co.uk/ we-pledge#MapOfDreams. Together we can make a difference!

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NATURE

Signs of spring in the Claylands By Helen Baczkowska, Acting Conservation Manager at Norfolk Wildlife Trust

pring is well underway now, even if the days are sometimes chilly or wet. Along with snowdrops and daffodils in gardens, one of the earliest signs of the season is an increased rustling in the hedgerows. Usually this is birds, gathering nesting material or searching for food in the undergrowth. For weeks now, bird song has welcomed the sunrise, and among the melodies of blackbirds and robins I can sometimes pick out the call of a song thrush, with its rich succession of repeated phrases. A distinctive sign that a song thrush is about is an ‘anvil’, a brick or stone where it smashes up snails to eat. If you find a scatter of snail shells in your garden, keep an eye out for a thrush. Song thrushes are one of the species featured in Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s spotter surveys (see far right) and by collecting the records we can find out how widespread they are among the gardens, woodlands, fields and commons of South Norfolk.

Hedgehog fostered throught the winter now going to ﬁnd a mate, Stoke Holy Cross, Credit Elizabeth Dack

In the evenings, those rustlings might be a hedgehog, which can make a surprising amount of noise for its size as it forages for earthworms and beetles. Hedgehogs occasionally emerge in winter, but mostly they hibernate in a tight ball of leaves and dry grass, appearing in spring to seek nest sites and food. Hedgehogs are also included in the spotter surveys and, like song thrushes, they seem as happy

in our gardens as woodlands and ﬁelds, although they like a large area to wander over, which makes a mosaic of connected gardens, rough grass, hedges and woodlands perfect for them. Ponds are as much a feature of the Claylands as commons,

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Frogs mating amongst frogspawn, Sculthorpe Moor, Credit Paul Taylor

hedges and woodland and are often the remnants of pits used for building clay. Few things are as symbolic of spring as frog spawn, and frogs are the last of our spring and early summer surveys. Frogs and toads both breed in ponds, but whereas frogs lay a cluster of spawn, like a mass of jelly blobs, toads lay their eggs in long, translucent strings. The adults are easy to tell apart if you get a chance to look closely: frogs tend to be smooth skinned, greenish and jump, whereas toads are mostly browner, with bumpy skin, and crawl. Finding out where these creatures live can help us protect them and will inform NWT’s Wilder Claylands project, which is currently working with landowners and communities in three trial areas of South Norfolk. The project aims to

Song thrush on top of a hedge, Credit Elizabeth Dack

create better, more connected places for hedgehogs, frogs, song thrushes and many other wild species by improving existing habitats, creating new ones and connecting them together. The project will, I am sure, show that by working together we can help these creatures thrive in the future and allow future generations to keep an ear out for springtime rustles in the hedgerows.

Log your spring sightings: You can log your song thrush, common frog and hedgehog sightings: www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wilderconnections wild@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk Don’t forget to make it an oﬃcial wildlife record, we need to know what you saw, when you saw it and where you were. We will share wildlife records submitted with Norfolk’s biological record’s centre – Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service.

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BOOKS

Riveting READS We all love a good book. Here is Village People’s recommended selection of some of the best new releases to keep you engrossed! SELF-HELP Be Yourself and Happier By Will Young The platinum-selling and double-BRIT Award winning singer/songwriter has long been a mental health advocate, and counts his experiences within the industry as a catalyst for various voyages of self-discovery that have led him to where he is today. In the book, Will discusses his breakdown in 2011, and how extensive therapy helped him to unpick and interrogate everything he thought he knew. Published by Bloomsbury SELF-HELP A Different Kind of Happy By Rachaele Hambleton Being a full-time mum to three daughters and one baby boy, step-mum to two boys and married to her 'bird-boy' Josh, has certainly earned Rachaele her status as one of the most honest and sincere modern writers out there, largely through the success of her PartTime Working Mummy Sunday Times bestseller from 2018. This book is a soaring and purposeful guide to modern parenting, with a few catastrophes thrown in along the way! Published by Penguin Random House

FICTION A Family Affair By Robyn Carr Anna McNichol knows how to take charge. Raised by a single mother, she’s worked to ensure her three children have every advantage she didn’t. And while her marriage has its problems, she values commitment and believes in ‘till death do us part’. When her husband dies suddenly, Anna’s carefully constructed world falls apart; her husband had been keeping secrets, and Anna is determined to get to the truth. Published by MIRA

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BITE IZE BUNGAY BI TESIZ

BUNGAY BITESIZE

The Queen’s 70th Anniversary nn ni arryy Local Historian Christopher Reeve steps back in time to expl explorre Bungay’s history sto y

hich instantly familiar feature of our Queen’s appearance sticks most in our minds? No, not her crown, sceptre and ermine robes, which are only worn for special occasions. It’s her hats, which, since her formal accession in 1953, have been a Royal trademark, oﬃcially approved for making her stand out in a crowd. They are always colourful and decorative, but have to be carefully designed so her face is clearly visible, both for press photos and the crowds of people assembling to cheer her in the streets. The Friends of St. Mary’s, and Bungay Museum, are organising an exhibition in the church to celebrate her 70 years as our monarch, which will run from 30 April – 8 May. The displays of photographs and memorabilia will

feature the many changes in the town that have occurred during her reign, and the various royal events which have been celebrated here. Businesses, schools, the railway, Bungay Races, the Fisher Theatre, sports and entertainments, the roles of the Town Reeve and Mayor will all be included, and also notable personalities whose memory continues to shine bright as ‘Bungay Worthies’. These will include the town’s premier benefactor, Kathleen Bowerbank, Frank Honeywood, the Town Recorder, Dinky Payne, charity fund-raiser, Gordon Knowles, the Chicken Roundabout celebrity, and others. Is there somebody you would like to nominate? One of the displays will focus on the Royal millinery theme,

and we are e ask king loccal wom men n to loan hatss theyy have worn for special occasions and royall eve entss in the town, or elsewhere, perrhaps with accompanying photos. If you don’t have a suitable hat, perhapss you would like to create a ‘Hat Fit for a Queen’? It can either be elegant couture style, or a fun hat, as inventive or comical as you like, perhaps made out of re-cycled materials. We are also planning to get school pupils involved with their own colourful concoctions. A preview evening is planned on 29 April, with various other events, so there will be a great deal to enjoy in advance of the national celebrations and public holiday in June. In this most auspicious year of our much-loved Queen’s reign, may we aﬀectionately refer to her as ‘Hattie’?!

Diana Belcher as Reeve

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HEALTH

Age is not a diagnosis! Stuart Wardle, from Recover Physiotherapy, answers your questions on physiotherapy and debunks some common misconceptions Is there anything I can do for a slipped disc? Did you know, discs never slip? This is a common misconception and can be really daunting if it's something you think you are struggling with. Disc-related back pain is very common, but without the right education, guidance and management, it can feel really alarming. We see this type of back pain all the time, so while it may be uncommon for you, it's not something that's uncommon for us to treat.

Isn't pain just part of getting older? Age is not a diagnosis! Normal age-related changes are something most of us will experience in our lifetime, but physiotherapy can make simple and effective changes with targeted, tailored exercises designed to reduce pain and increase your quality of life. There's no age limit for the help physiotherapy can offer. Do I need a referral from my GP? Not at all. We work as an independent practice, which means you can simply book an appointment yourself. It’s a much quicker way to see a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist than a typical referral from your GP. We often have appointments within the week, so you can put your health first and get started on your recovery quickly.

Do you just treat sports injuries? We treat anybody with neuromusculoskeletal conditions. In layman's terms, this simply means pain or problems with nerves, muscles, soft tissues (tendons, ligaments) and bones. So whether you're struggling with a sore back from prolonged sitting, diﬃculties with balance after a fall, or an irritated knee from sport, we're here to help.

www.norwich-physio.com 01603 905111 Recover Physiotherapy specialises in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Massage. You can visit their clinics on Princes St, Tombland, at David Lloyd Health Club on Drayton High Road, and at The Nest on Holt Road.

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Looking Good!

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Keep active – be strong We have put together six useful steps as a checklist for healthy ageing and the prevention of falls.

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f you have had a fall, are concerned about having weaker muscles, or would just like to become more active and meet new people, then take a look at Your Health Norfolk. We can work with you to regain and improve your strength, balance, and mobility, which helps maintain independence in later life.

n Prescription medications can contribute to falling, particularly if you take four or more. Attend regular medication reviews with your doctor if you feel dizzy n When choosing footwear, we recommend comfortable shoes with good support, a broad heel and non-slip soles n Consider having a home safety

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Maintain a healthy diet that includes good sources of protein, vegetables, fresh fruit, and plenty of fluids. n

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Quality care across Norfolk Our care homes offer the highest standards of care where dignity is respected, where talents and interests are encouraged, and where life is lived to its fullest potential. With a range of residential, nursing and dementia care Healthcare Homes is the ideal choice. Our experienced homecare team offers personal care, support with medication, preparing meals and help around the home as well as 24hr live-in care.

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Professional Homeopathic Training Online – to become a Registered Practitioner

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HEALTH

Spotlight on female health T

he vaginal microbiome is the collective term for the colonies of bacteria that live inside the vagina. Just like the gut, the vagina is home to billions of bacteria and other microorganisms. A healthy, balanced vaginal microbiome is incredibly important for intimate health and to help prevent infection. The bacterial composition of the vaginal microbiome will vary from individual to individual, but a healthy composition mostly comprises species of the Lactobacillus genus. These species will produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide to maintain the slightly acidic pH of the vagina, and will inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and yeasts that can lead to intimate health infections. For Women is an oral probiotic supplement, manufactured by a specialist probiotic company – Optibac. It’s especially formulated to support female intimate health

Quality, multi-strain formula – containing the world-renowned combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® & Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14®, and now also with Lactobacillus paracasei F-19® Highly researched – backed by over 25 studies and 30 years of research showing safety and quality Clinically proven – to survive to reach the vagina

and contains 3 strains naturally found in the vaginal and urinary tract that have been scientiﬁcally trialled and shown to reach the vagina alive. For Women can be used to support you through thrush, cystitis, or bacterial vaginosis, and can also help to maintain healthy vaginal flora. This product is suitable for women of all ages including teenagers, pregnant women, menopausal and older women.

A more natural option – contains strains natural to the vaginal tract and supports natural PH levels Easy to take – a small oral capsule for daily use. Can be taken alone or alongside other supplements like cranberry, natural anti-bacterials and anti-fungals. For more information and helpful advice, call 01603 613228, go to shopnaturally.com or pop into the Natural Food Store, 4 Exchange Street, Norwich

The key beneﬁts of For Women: A specialist supplement – designed for the vaginal microbiome, not the gut

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A vibrant and active community, providing personalised care in a welcoming environment. You can be reassured with Norse Care.

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GIVEAWAY

Keeping the Faith! Village People has 4 pairs of tickets to give away to see singing legend Paloma Faith on Friday 17 June at Newmarket Racecourse

he double platinum and BRIT award-winning star will be embarking on her second UK tour within a year with her upcoming Summer 2022 tour. She will be performing an array of hits from her extensive and much-loved repertoire, and fans can sing along to classics such as ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’ and ‘Lullaby’, as well as new songs from her ﬁfth studio album ‘Inﬁnite Things’. It’s been a busy year for Paloma. She released her BBC documentary ‘Paloma Faith: As I Am’ earlier this year, which received praise from critics and fans for its insight into the pop star's life, and frank discussions around motherhood. She also entered the world of

interior design with the launch of her ‘Paloma Home’ collection, as well as ﬁlming season 3 of ‘Pennyworth' and the prequel series to Stephen Fears’ movie ‘Dangerous Liaisons’. Paloma Faith said: “I’ve been touring my recent album Inﬁnite Things and it's been so invigorating seeing everyone out on the road around the UK. I've loved playing live again and I am beyond excited to announce my Summer 2022

tour. I love nothing more than singing for you all and hearing you sing back to me. There’s nothing like it.”

To be in with a chance of winning, visit www.village-people.info and follow the links to the competition page. Closing date is 15 May 2022 and the usual Village People rules apply. For a BONUS entry, hop onto Instagram and follow us @vpmagazine, like our post and tag a friend you would like to bring.

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Come and visit us and speak to our care manager to make an informed decision about your care.

At Carleton House, we are able to offer long-term residential care for older people including low-needs dementia care in a safe and welcoming environment.We are a trusted family run care home provider with over 30 year’s experience.

For all enquiries please call 01508 570451, email manager@carleton.house or visit our website www.mintoncare.co.uk. Carleton House Care House, Rectory Road, East Carleton. Norwich NR14 8HT

9.7 RATING 69

BEAUTY

s the seasons change, so do our day-today habits. Just like the clothes we wear or the food we eat, the beauty products we reach for during spring and summer will be diﬀerent to those in the colder months. Making a few small but smart changes will keep your skin happy and the ‘getting ready’ routine simple.

Make-up By the time you’ve applied your serums, moisturiser and sunblock, a full-coverage foundation can feel too heavy. I like to choose a sunblock with a slight tint – to help create an even base – and then pin-point conceal for a lightweight but perfected look.

Skincare

Look Good Feel Good Do Good Madeleine White, ex-model, make-up artist and founder of award-winning local ethical beauty brand, Juni Cosmetics, shows how we can build sustainability into our beauty routine. This time, she looks at how to prepare your skin for warmer weather. junicosmetics.com A dusting of setting powder through the T-zone will help keep sh hine at bay and everything in place. I love dualpurpose products all year round, but they reaally come into the eir own at this tim me of year. A lighttweight cream co olour that can be used on lips, cheeks and – depending on the shade – eyes too feels effortless and creates a seamless fin nish. A bright pink flu ush looks especially prettty with a touch of bronzzer. Finish off with a

sweep of mascara and groom brows with a tinted brow gel. There are some great formulations available now that withstand heat and sweat, so you shouldn’t end up with panda-eyes. It’s also nice to try a new perfume to coincide with the seasonal shift – something lighter, brighter and fresher. Perfume oils that come in roller-balls are easy to apply and great to throw in your handbag for on-the-go touch-ups before evening dinner and drinks in the sun!

When it comes to sun safety, the general advice is to wear a product containing SPF every day – no matter what the weather. This becomes even more important during the summer, when UV rays are at their strongest and you’re spending more time outside. Excess sun exposure can lead to premature ageing, hyper pigmentation and sunburn. Instead of relying on the SPF in your moisturiser or foundation, opt for a good quality broad spectrum sunblock with a SPF of 30 or higher. Make sure you’re using enough product and reapplying regularly for full protection. It’s also a good idea to lay oﬀ using strong retinol and exfoliating products as these can make the skin extra sun-sensitive. Instead, prioritise lightweight, hydrating skincare to soothe and repair. junicosmetics.com

junicosmetics.co.uk 70

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Investing Responsibly Turning your money into a real force for good

he view that investments are measured by value alone is changing. In a world awake to the challenges of climate change, energy consumption and pollution, contemporary investing is about achieving financial wellbeing in a world worth living in. As a Senior Partner Practice of St. James's Place, Anglian Wealth Management are able to offer our Clients access to Responsible Investing options. Understanding climate change risk within your portfolio is increasingly important as world policy continues to evolve. Our commitment to support you, and future generations, means helping you be conscious of the impact your investment has on climate change, as well as how carbon risk could affect your investment value. With many of us now considering the impact on the community and health of the planet in our everyday decisions, it’s no wonder that many organisations are also rethinking how they do business. Shining the spotlight on corporate behaviours helps illustrate why businesses cannot simply be about making profits. There’s a huge awareness that the general public are more sustainable in the way they live their lives. Successful companies also think about their wider stakeholders and strive to improve employee satisfaction and community spirit – and that contributes to long-term success. You too can make a difference through the companies you invest in when it comes to your investments and savings.

As part of the St. James's Place distinctive approach to investment management, they carefully assess their appointed fund managers’ attitudes to responsible investing, including climate change. They review how they incorporate environmental, social, and corporate governance in their decision making, and how their investment strategy helps reduce climate risk. With more than £150 bn under management and 830,000 clients, St. James’s Place is able to exert a powerful influence on companies, encouraging them to set environmental targets, such as net-zero carbon emissions, on your behalf. St. James’s Place works with their appointed fund managers and engagement partner, Robeco, to drive positive change through engagement activities such as site visits, investor meetings, setting out recommendations and expectations, and voting at annual general meetings. We believe what gets measured, gets managed. Reporting the

carbon footprint of the St. James’s Place Portfolios allows them to identify opportunities for change. St. James's Place joined the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance in 2020, publicly committing their investments to be net-zero by 2050, if not sooner. They will set interim targets to ensure this commitment is achievable and realistic. Environmental and social change is just around the corner – and we want to be at the forefront of any developments. Companies either embrace it, and beneﬁt from the opportunities it creates, or deny it and suﬀer the consequences. Engagement is the best way to help our clients invest in a world worth living in. Our world is changing faster than anyone predicted, and responsible investing has a huge role to play in shaping a better world and building a sustainable future. The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

For more information about wealth management and retirement planning, contact Robert Drake at Anglian Wealth Management on 01603 752500 / 07581 347559, or email robert.drake@sjpp.co.uk The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James's Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James's Place representatives.

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FINANCIAL

Are you ready for Making Tax Digital? Mary-Anne Sargeant, Partner at M+A Partners Accountants, looks at these signiﬁcant changes

ll VAT-registered businesses, including those voluntarily registered for VAT, will be required to follow Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules for their ﬁrst return starting on or after 1 April 2022. From this date, it will be a legal requirement to comply with MTD for VAT, regardless of the turnover of your business. What MTD means for you You will need to use MTD compliant software for keeping and maintaining your VAT digital accounting records, creating VAT returns and sending them to HMRC. You will no longer be able to submit VAT returns through the HMRC website. Currently, the requirement to keep and submit records digitally has only been mandatory for businesses with a taxable turnover above the £85,000 VAT threshold. However, from April 2022 a new phase of MTD for VAT begins, presenting signiﬁcant changes for smaller businesses. Software packages There are two types of software that can be used for MTD: 1. VAT record keeping software which lets you update and store your records digitally – such as QuickBooks, Sage and Xero. 2. Bridging software that works with non-compatible software, including spreadsheets, accounting systems and other digital bookkeeping products.

If you are newly self-employed, or just setting up your business, we would recommend using MTD record keeping software

from the outset to avoid any time consuming and costly changes further down the line. Accounting software will also make your business life easier, as you can access accounts and reports, check balances, upload receipts and invoice customers all in one place. However, bridging software might be a simpler option for any business that relies on bespoke record keeping systems. How to sign up for MTD for VAT Once you have the compatible software in place, you can sign up for MTD for VAT on GOV. UK. To sign up you will need your Government Gateway ID and password; business email address; VAT registration number and latest VAT return; registered postcode; along with your registered company number (companies); UTR (companies and partnerships); and NI number (sole traders). Once you have completed the sign-up process, you should receive an email within 72 hours, conﬁrming that you can submit VAT returns. VAT returns

should not be submitted until a conﬁrmation email from HMRC has been received. MTD for income tax This is planned to be a legal requirement from April 2024 for all sole traders and landlords with an annual turnover of over £10,000, with partnerships a year later. Mary-Anne Sargeant

For further guidance on MTD, or a quote on handling your accounts, tax, VAT or payroll, contact M+A Partners Attleborough team on 01953 452077, or email mary-anne.sargeant@ mapartners.co.uk. Visit our website mapartners.co.uk/ mtd-ﬁnal-steps for a range of downloadable MTD for VAT resources, including factsheets on QuickBooks, Sage and Xero. For the latest accounting and tax updates, sign up to our newsletters at mapartners.co.uk. 75

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REAL LIVES

The Reins of Success

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 Facebook: Refreshing Waters Christian Media.

Patrick with his Royal Enﬁeld motorcycle

he varied strands of Patrick Coghlan’s life as minister, counsellor, author and former riding school owner have come together in his latest book ‘Crazy about Horses’, published in May. At 67, he is still an avid horse rider who has remained unsaddled by the ups and downs of life. His insights and experiences have been sifted within the pages of 40 published paperbacks, including his latest teen novel that explores faith, justice, bullying and life with horses. Life is busy and fulﬁlling, but Patrick rides a vintage-style Royal Enﬁeld motorbike away from the fast lane and fast pace of life, along coastal and country roads from his Aylsham home, to relax and unwind. Fifty years ago, he bravely mounted a massive horse and prepared to ride on the open road. He had no skills or experience and admits he

had to hang on for dear life. But, undaunted, it marked a new pastime and evolving career. He practised and trained under the watchful gaze of some of the foremost names in the business, as the strict disciplines of horsemanship were forged and mastered. From cross-country, jumping and dressage, to stable management, Patrick went on to open his own riding school, instructing pupils and breeding horses. But the business became unviable and had to close five years later. His life has been peppered with success and challenges, but they have given him empathy and understanding as a minister and counsellor, which in turn has seen him become a prolific author. As a schoolboy, he was terrorised by bullies and later grappled with difficulties in the workplace and rejections from publishers. And during two riding accidents he broke his leg twice within six months, initially vowing to never ride again, but he was soon back in the saddle. Through it all, he has learnt to overcome with a persistent spirit, knowing God has helped him through trauma, loss and disappointment. He explains the Christian journey is not easy, and demands qualities similar for horse riding – patience, sensitivity, good listening skills, endurance, perseverance and determination. “And of course, the courage to metaphorically get back up when we fall. But the

rewards are amazing and eternal!” he says. During the last 21 years, he has written resources for children and older people and everything in between, from Christian study books, to those that have examined trauma and depression, sharing personal and honest insights to help others. He explains: “We need to love the person we have become through the good times, but also the diﬃcult ones. Even though we may look back and wish they had never happened, without them we would not be the people we have become. If we know God has a good plan for us, and I believe he does, we are equipped with what we have today because of the things we have gone through earlier in our lives.”

Crazy about Horses (Instant Apostle) £8.99 is available from info@instantapostle.com or email: patrick@acsmail.net who is also available for book signings and speaking events. 77

ART

Spring Art Show returns to the Forum Artists from across the East of England will be exhibiting at the Spring Art Show, which will be held in the heart of Norwich city centre – the Atrium at the Forum – from 6 -10 April.

he exhibition, a staple event in Norfolk’s art calendar, will return for its ninth outing this April and will gather together an eclectic mix of artists working across a range of art forms. Organised by Norwich artist Brian Korteling, the annual exhibition attracts thousands of visitors, and the selected works on show will all be for sale. Brian Korteling said: “After a two-year gap due to the pandemic, it's great to be returning to the Atrium at the Forum. It's such a great space to show art, it has excellent light and there's plenty of room to admire the work. “People from all walks of life pass through using the library, restaurants and all the other facilities, it's a real community hub and this makes it a perfect space to exhibit art to a wider

Magpie Rising by Bella Bigsby 78

Work by Angela Gawn

audience. With many artists showing for the ﬁrst time since lockdown, it's going to be even more exciting than usual to see what the artists have produced. As always, it will be a fresh eclectic mix of work from local talent working in a variety of styles and media." Brian Korteling has lived in Norfolk for most of his life and has been a full-time artist since 2009 after a career in graphic design. Each autumn he hosts Art Fair East with fellow Norwich artist, Will Teather.

Nocturne by John Sparks

For more information please visit www.springartshow.co.uk

An all outdoor Forest School for Early Years, Silfield, South Norfolk We blend the popular Forest Schools Philosophy with our own ‘Bigger Than Us’ curriculum to give meaning and a sense of ownership to every learner, at every age. Our setting offers a sense of freedom to unlock genuinely raw creativity and empower individualism. We take children from 6 months to 8 years term time and run a popular holiday club for school age children during the holidays (both public and private school holidays accounted for).

There’s always work to be done here and children love having the opportunity to join in, contribute and learn for themselves about the world. Nurturing our animals, discovering life in the ponds, playing within the forests and learning about organic farming. This is an ideal place for Children and Families who are looking for a meaningful experience, contact us to find out more.

Forestschoolforlife.co.uk Email us at, info@forestschoolforlife.co.uk WhatsApp us on 07830 379 520 79