Village People South Norfolk edition – June / July 2022 (Early Summer) by Village People Magazines Ltd

Delivered to over 63,000 homes in Norfolk and Suffolk

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

PABLO PICASSO EXHIBITION AT THE SAINSBURY CENTRE WIN TI C K E TS TO W I DE S K I E S & B UT TE R F L I E S, N ORFOL K ’S N E W E ST M USIC F E STI VA L

June / July 2022

RECIP E FRO M PAUL H O LLYWO O D

WIN!

TICKETS

TO FIVE FANTASTIC MUSIC EVENTS, INCLUDING MICHAEL BALL & ALFIE BOE

South Norfolk Edition

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Contents

June/July 2022

OUT & ABOUT

Art - Pablo Picasso at the Sainsbury Centre Latitude returns for summer

Good news from our region

WIN tickets to Norfolk’s newest music festival, Wide Skies & Butterflies

HOME & GARDEN

WIN tickets to three amazing music concerts in Earlham Park

14 Walking for health around Framingham Pigot East & Yelverton

Ladies of Letters arrives in Norwich

Memories of Oakley

WIN £100 M&S voucher with our guest beagle Frida

Homes - focus on timber buildings

Art - wanderlust & watercolours from James Mayhew

Book reviews - fiction for summer

Village Notice Board

Fashion - go crazy for crochet this summer

Property - top tips for selling your home

Recipe for Paul Hollywood’s authentic Cornish pasty

HEALTH, STYLE, FASHION & BEAUTY 67

Health - gardening tips for hay fever sufferers

Canine communications with Julia Collins

Recipe for Miso Caramel Apple Cake

Health - how to look after your joints

Garden Jottings from The Garden Enclosure

Ear health and hearing with Cecil Amey

Greenfingers with Alan Titchmarsh

Spotting wildflowers in the Claylands

WIN tickets to see Queen Symphonic at Newmarket Racecourse

Poetry Corner with Louis Sacksen from East Harling

JOBS, MONEY & BUSINESS 74

Finance - kicking back against inflation

Refreshing Waters - The Norfolk Community Foundation

Find a local business or service in our directory

Exercise your brain cells with our crossword

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

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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 15 JUNE August/September (Late Summer issue) Delivered to over 63,000 homes in Norfolk and Suffolk

TH E AWA R D W I N N I N G LO C A L LIF ESTY LE M AGAZINE

PA BLO P IC AS S O EX H I B I TION AT TH E SA I NSB U RY C E NTR E WI N TI C K ETS TO WI D E SK I ES & BUTTERF L I ES, N O RF O L K ’S NEWE ST M USI C F ESTI VAL

June / July 2022

R E CIPE FR O M PAU L H O L LYWO O D

WIN!

TICKETS

TO FIVE FANTASTIC MUSIC EVENTS, INCLUDING MICHAEL BALL & ALFIE BOE

WINNER of five National Publishing Awards South Norfolk Edition

WELCOME TO THE EARLY SUMMER ISSUE

omething very unexpected happened to me in February, completely out of the blue and not planned; I got a rescue dog! And guess what breed? A beagle, of course! So this issue’s competition to win £100 M&S voucher is dedicated to the new addition to our family, Frida the beagle! Hop over to the competition page and see what she looks like so you can spot her hidden in this issue. Good luck! A special mention must go to Her Royal Highness The Queen, who marks her Platinum Jubilee in June. There will be four days of celebrations and community activities and we have listed several on our Village Notice Board pages. At the time of writing, many local events had not been finalised, so make sure you go to our website and take a look at the very popular EVENTS section, where we give full details of everything you can enjoy in our area. www.village-people.info Music fans are spoilt for choice in this issue, because we have some spectacular ticket giveaways to see Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, Simply Red and the Ibiza Orchestra, who will all be performing on our doorstep in Earlham Park. Plus, you can win tickets to see the rock and orchestra spectacular, Queen Symphonic, at Newmarket Racecourse, and Norfolk’s newest music festival, Wide Skies & Butterflies. It’s going to be a summer of music!

We have over 30 amazing new local businesses offering you their products and services for the first time in this issue, so make sure you read the magazine from cover to cover and support everything local. If you have any thoughts about how we can improve the largest circulation magazine in the county, 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: Above par and on course

iss Golf Club has undergone a huge renovation over the past six months to transform the clubhouse into a modern and stylish facility, which is improving the customer experience and driving further revenue to the club. The new clubhouse is now an even more friendly and welcoming environment in which to relax and socialise. It features a state-of-the-art bar area, stylish restaurant and chill-out space, which includes a 75-inch TV and incorporated sound system. John Doe Carpets & Furniture Limited helped make the dream a reality and carried out all

refurbishment work for the bar, restaurant and golf shop, as well as providing all flooring, furniture, lighting and accessories. Diss Golf Club’s facilities are fully adaptable and their in-house team is experienced in holding a wide range of events, from corporate golf days and parties to business meetings and wakes. A vital cog in the local community, Diss Golf Club creates a place for people to socialise, play the wonderful game of golf and enjoy the scenic surroundings. They regularly welcome new members, visitors, societies and corporate golf groups

at their beautifully presented but challenging heathland course, which is built on sandy, free draining soil for quality all-year-round play. The signature 13th hole will always be a ‘happy to par’ hole. dissgolf.co.uk 01379 641 025

WYMONDHAM DIABETES GROUP

We are here to help you. Come along to our informal and friendly support group meeting for all people living with diabetes. Meetings with speakers are held at Fairland Church Wymondham NR18 OAW from 2.00pm till 4.00pm on the second Tuesday of alternative months starting on 14 June 2022. For details email wymdiabetes@gmail.com or phone 01953 606054 answer machine. Everyone is most welcome Part of Diabetes UK Charity number 215199 8

GOOD NEWS

Friends are reunited

orwich Theatre is relaunching its Friend Scheme to include, for the first time, all three Norwich Theatre venues: Norwich Theatre Royal, the Playhouse and Stage Two. The scheme enables people to enjoy discounts and priority booking while supporting the arts in Norfolk. The entry-level into the Friends Scheme costs £25 a year, with benefits including priority booking, half-price first night dramas and discounts on up to four tickets per show, plus a 10% discount on food and drink. It’s a lower entry price than any other theatres in the region. For those looking for further offers and a closer connection to Norwich Theatre, the Best Friend tier at £50 a year includes invitations to Friends Nights at the Theatre, double the discounted ticket allocation at eight per show and half-price first night on drama and more. The scheme retains its top tier, Gold Friend, at £150 a year for those who want a deeper relationship with Norwich Theatre, supporting the

charity’s creative community work in Norfolk and engagement projects with local people. Chief Executive and Creative Director of Norwich Theatre, Stephen Crocker, said: “The income raised by our Friends Scheme ensures we can provide the best service to our customers, providing a high-quality digital service as well as over the phone and in person, at a time when many theatres are closing

their box office counters. I really enjoy meeting all our friends and would like to thank all who support us in this way.” For more information, please visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Norwich Theatre Box Office on 01603 630 000.

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New music scene

orfolk’s newest music festival, Wide Skies & Butterflies, will host their inaugural event this summer which will be held at Raynham Estate, near Fakenham, over three days from 5th to 7th August 2022. Headliners are The Vaccines, Hot Chip and James. Joining them will be the Editors, Everything Everything and the Levellers, as well as many more acts including Mercury and Ivor Novello-winning singersongwriter Laura Mvula, special guest 90s pop sensation and winner

of ITV's The Masked singer, Natalie Imbruglia, Scouting for Girls, Ibibio Sound Machine and upcoming UK indie band The Reytons. Along with main stage performers, the festival has also announced late night DJ slots by Faithless, Norman Jay MBE and DJ Yoda, as well as a variety of other performers including comedian Ed Byrne and Norfolk’s very own drag superstar, recording artist, best selling author and fashion icon, Bimini. Event promoter Samira Williams says: “We’re delighted to be able to

bring to Norfolk such an energetic line up of artists who are at the top of their game. These acts are amazing live and we’re so pleased that they’ve agreed to come and join us for our first year as a festival. It’s going to be a stunning show and really shines a spotlight on Norfolk’s music and entertainment scene.” wideskiesfestival.co.uk

GIVEAWAY Village People are working with Wide Skies & Butterflies and are delighted to offer four pairs of adult tickets to give away. Simply hop onto our website and follow the links. For a bonus entry, visit our Instagram @vpmagazine and follow the instructions. For an extra special bonus we will share a 10% discount code on our Instagram with everyone who follows @wideskiesfest. What’s not to love? Grab your phones and enter today.

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Ooh la la – it’s petanque!

ye Petanque Club is looking for new members to join this summer. Petanque, or French boules, is great fun for people of all ages and abilities and is a wonderful way to learn a new sport and have some fun at the same time. Club Secretary Jackie Johnson, says: “Petanque is such an easy game

to play and very sociable. We play at the Community Centre in Eye on Wednesday and Sunday mornings and everyone is welcome. There is the chance to enter local leagues and competitions, and we offer free loan of boules and one-to-one coaching, as well as help choosing equipment if people want to play regularly.

“It’s very cheap to play – a set of three boules is really the only investment needed, and these will last you a lifetime!”

For more details, contact Jackie on 01379 668220, or go to Facebook and Nextdoor

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Make plans with IC Travel’s

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Show/Venue

Thurs 2nd

Cambridge Cultural Icons

Fri 3rd / Sat 4th

Liam Gallagher – Knebworth Travel

Sun 5th, Mon 6th, Wed 8th, Thur 9th

Queen - O2

Thurs 9th Sat 18th Sat 18th

NEW 2022 BROCHURE OUT NOW Depart

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Stratford Gin Distillery & Boat trip

7.30am

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Gardeners World Live

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£54

Madness - Thetford

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Sun 19th

Barry Manilow - O2

1.30pm

£37

Sun 19th

The Wool Monty - Sheffield

Wed 22nd

Lavenham & Beth Chatto Gardens

Wed 22nd Thurs 23rd Sat 25th

Mrs Brown’s Boys - NEC

Sun 26th

Kilworth House Theatre & Dinner Carousel

Mon 27th

Southwold Day Out

7am

£45

8.30am

£35

Bat Out of Hell - MK Theatre

8.30am

£64

Diana Ross - O2

1.30pm

£37

8am

£80

9am

£105

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10th Annual

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GIVEAWAY

A summer of music in the park!

NS & TIMES

With Village People’s fantastic ticket giveaway, you can enjoy a feast of musical talent this summer in Earlham Park, Norwich.

TIMES

TYPE

STAGE

9:30 – 10:00

Beginners

1&3

10:00 – 10:30

Beginners

2&4

10:30 – 11:00

Beginners

1&2

NN N WW W O O O D D D H H H S S S A A A L L L P P P SS S

Ibiza Orchestra 24 June TIMES TYPE The Incredible 9:00 Ibiza – 9:30 Orchestra Beginners – 10:00 a fullBeginners Experience,9:30 featuring live 10:00 – 10:30 Beginners 26-piece orchestra, transports 10:30 – 11:00 Beginners audiences through three decades 11:00 – 11:30 Beginners of iconic White Isle classics, and features special guest vocalists to create the ultimate Ibiza Experience.

22001919

Friday FANT SCHOOL

OOL

Simply Red Saturday 25 June STAGE This 1 & 3 legendary UK band has sold 2 & 460 million albums worldwide, over 1 & 3 five going to number one in with 1&2 the UK. Sing along to chart toppers 1&2 like ‘Holding Back The Years’, ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’, ‘Money’s Too Tight’ and many others.

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Sunday 26 June Two of the greatest voices in the world perform hit songs from their debut release ‘Together’, which fast became the UK’s best-selling album of 2016 and beat artists like Little Mix and The Rolling Stones to the Christmas No.1 spot!

GET GET SAFE SAFE FOR FOR SUMMER SUMMER GET SAFE FOR SUMMER TIMES

TYPE

9:00 – 9:30

Beginners

STAGE

BYBY LEARNING LEARNING TO TO SWIM SWIM BY LEARNING TO SWIM WITH WITH NORWICH NORWICH PENGUINS PENGUINS WITH NORWICH PENGUINS 1&3

Village People has 4 pairs of tickets to give away for each of these fantastic 9:30 – 10:00 Beginners 2&4 Y SCHOOL events. To 10:00 be in– with 10:30 a chance Beginnersof winning, 1 & 3 visit www.village-people.info and follow the links the competition page. 10:30 –to 11:00 Beginners 1 & 2 Closing date is Friday 17 June and the usual Village People rules apply. For a BONUS entry, hop onto Instagram and Join Join usfor for us afor afun-fi fun-fi a fun-fi lled lled us lled followJoin us @vpmagazine, like our post and tag a friend you would like to bring.

Tickets available to purchase from ticketmaster.co.uk

day 5 day summer summer course course 55day summer course TIMES TYPE STAGE which which willwill help help your your which will help your 9:00 – 9:30 Beginners 1&3 child child learn to learn life a life2 & 4 child to learn aalife 9:30 –to 10:00 Beginners 10:00 – 10:45 Improvers skill skill and and bemore be more more Stage 5+ skill and be confi confi dent dent inthe the in the confi dent in water water thisthis summer. summer. water this summer.

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Beginner lessons last 30mins and costs £35.00

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PAYMENT METHOD Return the editable application form on the website by email and our admin team will contact you for payment. Places are sought after so book early. Places are not conﬁrmed until a payment has been received. Places will be conﬁrmed via email.

SCAN THE QR CODE T&C can be found on the website. BOOK NOW

n form

Join us for fun filled term time or holiday intensive courses. Help your child to be safe this summer.

DAY 5 Summer DAY SUMMER SUMMER COURSES COURSES AVAILABLE AVAILABLE NOW! NOW! 55DAY SUMMER COURSES NOW! holiday coursesAVAILABLE available now! @norwichpenguins @norwichpenguins @norwichpenguins

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Join thousands of people in Norfolk composting at home Norfolk County Council has teamed up with Get Composting to offer cut price compost bins to Norfolk residents.

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LOCAL WALKS

Walking for Health Framingham Pigot East &Yelverton REVIEWED BY DOUGIE DINGWALL VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR AT CENTRAL NORFOLK WELLBEING WALKS Route by Rhona Shuttleworth Route checked and photography by Dougie Dingwall

Starting Point: St Andrews Church, The Street, Framingham Pigot, Norwich NR14 7QH Grid Reference: OS Map 237/ OL 40: TG 27782 03614 Walk Length 3.6 Miles / 5.8 KM

Directions 01. Turn right into The Street from St Andrew’s Church car park. After a few hundred meters turn right onto Chapel Lane and walk until the road joins Gull Lane, then turn left. Just before the end of Gull Lane turn right onto the public footpath to Woodland Bungalow.

02. Continue into a field (through a rambler’s gate on left), but continue straight and keep the hedge on your right. At the end of the field turn left along the track, which then veers right. Go through another gate and continue straight on. The track goes through the farm buildings (often very muddy), then veers left towards a wooden gate between the conifers. Pass through another gate to the houses and then turn left into Framingham Earl Road. 03. Just past the water tower turn right along a drive towards a house called The Driftway. There is a finger post here, but it’s sometimes hidden by a hedge. Follow this hard surface lane to the big houses, where the lane veers right and then left. The vehicle track then becomes a footpath between hedges. Continue straight, ignoring the kissing gate on the left. On reaching Wheel Road turn right and continue into Burgate Lane. There are some bends so take extra care. 04. Turn right once you reach the public right of way into Aldis Farm (on a sharp bend) and walk down this concrete, then gravel, drive, past the farm shop and café. At the end turn left into Yelverton Road. Continue downhill and after a driveway on the left with an imposing brick gateway, and up a slight incline, take the public footpath on the right. Keep the hedge on your right. Be aware there are a number of tree roots to navigate. There is a seat half way up this path dedicated to a Mr Alston, who was a Parish Councillor for 50 years. 05. At the end, cross over wooden planks over a ditch. Note: This is part of the other Framingham Earl walk. Turn right onto Gull Lane and after a short distance turn left onto a woodland path and follow until you reach St Andrew’s Church, veering to the left of the church to reach the car park, the start of the walk. Note: the ditches, old trees and old coppice stools either side of this path indicate it could be an ancient route. The unusual church is a Victorian replacement for an earlier church.

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THEATRE

Two comic legends take to the stage Ladies of Letters – Norwich Theatre Royal – 28 June-2 July

nly Fools and Horses actresses Tessa PeakeJones, who played Raquel in the hit comedy, and co-star Gwyneth Strong, who played Cassandra, team up in the stage adaptation of Ladies of Letters, which is heading to Norwich Theatre Royal from 28 June – 2 July. They play Irene Spencer and Vera Small, two widows who have forged a ‘frenemy’ relationship through the lost art of letter writing. The ladies tackle the biggest issues of the day, from climate change protests and accidental imprisonment to handy recipes for tasty petit

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fours and how to get stains out of slacks! With sharpened quills, they both try to outdo each other in their letters. But in reality, they are both lonely, taken for granted by their families, and their correspondence is a lifeline for them. Despite all the unspoken animosity, they need each other. Ladies of Letters has been adapted from the long-running and loved TV and radio series by acclaimed writer Jonathan Harvey. It’s a riotously funny, sharply observant comedy about women finding their voices later in life.

For more information, or to book, head to norwichtheatre.org or call the Norwich Theatre Box Office on 01603 630000.

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ART

A figurehead of the Modern Age Pablo Picasso: The Legacy of Youth: 3 March – 17 July 2022 – the Sainsbury Centre Pablo Picasso: The Legacy of Youth is a focussed exhibition which looks at the early artistic formation of Pablo Picasso, from his teenage years to his thirties (1896 – 1914). The exhibition traces the artist’s progress, from his childhood in Malaga to his rise in Paris as acknowledged leader of the international avant-garde. It compares his achievement with the artists he admired and made use of, including Monet, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Bonnard, Gauguin and Redon. Rarely seen paintings and drawings will be shown alongside Portrait of a Young Woman more familiar works. Picasso (The Madrilenian), Pablo Picasso, had mastered a variety of styles c.1901 © Succession Picasso and depicting a wide range of subject DACS, London 2022 matter before he had even turned under the inevitable pressures of 20, a greater accomplishment modernisation. He realised than most artists could ever hope that the emergence of Modern to achieve. By concentrating art through the last quarter of on this formative stage, The the century was a product of Legacy of Youth demonstrates this transformation. Throughout how Picasso fed off the efforts his life, Picasso would feel the of others, before developing his tension between modernity and own idioms for depicting the the histories it replaced. He contemporary world. He also would also struggle with the freely appropriated material from diverse cultures, while developing a visual language rich in personal symbolism. As he moved through adolescence, the young artist recognised that society was increasingly in a process Jardin Public [Public Garden], Pablo Picasso, 1901 of permanent © Succession Picasso and DACS, London 2022 transformation,

role of the individual in this new environment. Exhibition curator Professor Paul Greenhalgh says: "We tend to forget that Picasso wasn’t simply a figurehead of the Modern Age. He grew up in the 19th century: the extraordinary mixture of values that was fin de siècle Europe penetrated deep into his personality, remaining with him through his life. While he was the quintessential Modern in so many ways, he was also a Victorian, and this duality explains the complexity of his genius.” With over 20 works by Picasso including paintings, drawings and prints, the exhibition shows how the young artist embraced successive styles at large in the art world of his time. Opening with an introduction to Picasso’s family background and artistic education, the exhibition leads into an Impressionist ‘salon’ with works by Claude Monet, Pierre Bonnard, Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot, and George Seurat. The Legacy of Youth recreates the freshness of Picasso’s stylistic encounter with successive waves of Impressionism, Symbolism and Post-Impressionism. A Cubist ‘salon’ shows works by Picasso alongside Henri Laurens, Jean Metzinger, Juan Gris and Ossip Zadkine and suggests that these early innovations remained core to Picasso’s later stylistic developments. Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ. sainsburycentre.ac.uk or call the box office 01603 593199 Mon-Fri 9-5. Centre is closed on Mondays including Bank Holidays

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FESTIVAL

Summer must be here… it’s Latitude!

atitude returns to the stunning grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk, from 21-24 July 2022. Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Snow Patrol, Maggie Rogers, Little Simz, Manic Street Preachers, Phoebe Bridgers, Groove Armada, Fontaines D.C. and Russell Howard top the eclectic bill, where music and the arts meet foodie feasts and family fun in a joyous weekend of cultural discovery. Back as headliners, Foals played their first ever headline festival slot at Latitude way back in 2013, following a 2008 appearance. Foal’s forthcoming album Life Is Yours is made for a euphoric hot summer. Double BRIT Award winner Lewis Capaldi makes his Latitude debut and is one of the UK’s biggest music success stories. Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent was the top-selling album of 2019 and 2020, breaking the record for the most consecutive weeks in the chart for any solo artist. Snow Patrol make a momentous return to Latitude. The band, who headlined the inaugural Latitude back in

2006, were forced to cancel their headline slot at Latitude in 2019 due to illness, and their special guest slot in 2021 due to Covid. This much-anticipated performance will celebrate over two decades in the business. Latitude’s arts line up is second to none and this year’s comedy bill will be bigger than ever. Taking the first headline slot on the Comedy Arena stage is Russell Howard, who stops off at Henham Park fresh from his record-breaking world tour. Also appearing is multiaward-winning comedian and

poet Tim Key, who will perform his acclaimed lyrical sell-out show Mulberry. The unapologetically funny comedian, writer, actor and broadcaster Rosie Jones will also return to Henham Park, as will irreverent Dublin comedian David O’Doherty.

Tickets For tickets, go to latitudefestival.com/tickets/

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CANINE BEHAVIOUR

Parlez Vous POOCH?! Blogger and qualified ‘Dog Listener’ Julia Collins explains how we can help our hounds to keep their cool in hot weather.

ntil recently, I believed that dogs were only able to lose heat through their pads, ears and, of course, by panting. I now know that dogs do possess sweat glands, both Eccrine, which open directly onto the skin in the pads and nose – and Apocrine, found at the base of hair follicles. So, dogs do sweat, it’s just harder to see under their coat! As the ambient temperature rises, heat loss by convection alone will not keep your dog cool, and as it approaches his skin temperature – approx 38 degrees – sweating will occur. But over 75% of heat loss must take place by panting, and this percentage rises as heat increases. Obese, infirm and older dogs should not be allowed to pant for long, because the process puts considerable strain on the heart and respiratory system. Keep them cool, or cool them quickly, when they begin to

pant. Before the summer arrives, it’s a good plan to clip your dog, if suitable. A thinner coat allows more efficient heat loss by convection. When you leave your dog at home, make sure it has access to really cool areas – nice cold tiles perhaps, or an area without sunshine pouring in. It’s easy to leave your house in the morning, only for the day to develop into a hot one and the indoor temperature soars in your absence. Make it a habit to draw the curtains or blinds. Do this before the heat ramps up, as a preventative measure, rather than shutting the sun out of an already hot room. Obviously, you must make sure that clean, cool water is always available. During the summer, maybe move the bowl to a shady corner rather than letting it sit in the sun all day. Walk early in

the morning or in the evening, once the heat has subsided. The cool morning air is delicious and your dog will really thank you for getting up early! Taking your dog out in the car also needs careful consideration. It’s all very well having the windows open, but if your poor dog is wedged in the back with sun streaming through the glass onto him – well – would you feel comfortable, mile after mile?! Always make sure your dog is completely cool before feeding him. Never feed a dog that’s panting from exertion of any kind. Finally, make sure your dog is comfortable overnight. Our homes can warm up like storage heaters and feel very hot once doors and windows are closed.

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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With the addition of dedicated parking and a lovely café, we are hoping to offer a family feel veterinary clinic in the heart of Hethersett and look forward to welcoming customers, old and new.

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CAKE RECIPE

Miso Caramel Apple Cake If you’re not familiar with miso, don’t panic – it simply gives a salty, umami flavour, contrasting with the sweet caramel. The apple adds texture to the richness of the rest of the cake. Some ready-made caramels are quite stiff, so you may have to zap gently in the microwave to loosen it a little for spreading. Serves 10 556 cals 70g carbs per slice

Tip: Make sure you use white miso; the others are too savoury.

INGREDIENTS Cake: 2 dessert apples (Braeburn) 15g butter 15g soft brown sugar Batter: 275g unsalted butter 200g soft brown sugar 80g caster sugar 5 large eggs 60g white miso 275g self-raising flour Filling & topping: 100g unsalted butter, softened 15g white miso 220g icing sugar 100g cream cheese, fridge temperature 100g apple sauce 300g caramel /Dulce de Leche

METHOD 1. Prepare your caramelised apple: chop the two unpeeled apples into raisin-sized chunks. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, add the sugar and then the apples. Stir until the liquid has evaporated and you have softened, slightly caramelised chunks. Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Grease and base line three 20cm sandwich tins.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the butter and sugars until soft and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the miso until combined, then add gradually to the butter/sugar mix, whisking constantly. Gently fold in the flour, then half the caramelised apples. Divide the mix between the tins, then bake for about 20-25 minutes, until springy to the touch, and a skewer comes out clean. Rest for 5 minutes then turn onto a rack to cool. 3. Combine the remaining apples with the apple sauce. Whisk the softened butter with the white miso, then add the icing sugar. Beat until fluffy, then add the cream cheese and beat until just combined. Spread the first cake with about ₁⁄⁴ of the icing. Put half the apple sauce mix in the centre and spread out. Drizzle with about a tablespoon of caramel. Repeat for the second tier.

4. Place the final sponge on top, spread the whole cake with the remaining buttercream (you’ll need most to fill the gaps between the sponges). Spread on the caramel, twirl to decorate, and allow it to drip down the sides. 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 31

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GARDENS

The Garden Enclosure Jottings

t never rains when you need it, and after a long dry spring (whatever happened to April showers?!) gardeners may once again be fearing the possibility of hosepipe restrictions this year. So what can you do? Well…you could take up rain dancing as a second hobby – it keeps you fit and relieves stress – or you could become just a little more wateraware and carry on gardening! Water is essential to plants, so it’s important to ensure that what little there is available stays where it’s needed and not lost through evaporation. Home-made compost or well-rotted manure adds structure to soil and helps hold moisture around the root zone, so dig in as much as you can when preparing new borders or clearing through old, then give your beds a treat with a nice thick layer of decorative mulch.

Almost any material can be used, including bark, straw, cobblestones or ornamental gravels, and these are best applied when the soil is wet so that dampness is locked in. Mulches applied thickly have the added benefit of suppressing most weeds, or try using a porous weed fabric over new beds and cover it with a thinner mulch to make bagged materials go further. Sacrificing your green lawn for a brown one may become an annual occurrence, but you can ease this transformation by not cutting grass too short and leaving the clippings on as a mini mulch. You could even reduce your lawn area and instead establish a low maintenance Mediterranean-style border or entire garden using drought-tolerant plants. Planting trees with a light canopy creates dappled shade and provides you with a place to sit or

somewhere to position pots full of colourful summer planting. When choosing containers, go for glazed types and larger sizes which will hold moisture longer than smaller ones, and arrange them in small groups to make watering with a can easier. Use a good quality compost and incorporate water-retaining crystals (preferably with a slow-release fertiliser mixed in), and then, like the borders, top off with a mulch to reduce evaporation and improve their appearance. Established garden plants can be virtually ignored unless they show signs of wilting, but you will have to water young plants, and having your own supply nearby will make the chore of lugging cans about much easier, so consider installing water butts near to high demand areas such as your veg plot. Try to do the watering in the evening, and to avoid surface rooting give plants a decent soaking every few days rather than a daily splash. There’s nothing quite like natural water, so if you fancy the rain dancing please go ahead, a regular overnight session throughout the summer would be great, thanks!

Cheers Ken,

The Garden Enclosure, Banham bringing you a splash of inspiration whatever the weather!

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GARDENS

GREENFINGERS… with Alan Titchmarsh Horticultural inspiration, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and much-loved presenter, Alan Titchmarsh, tells Village People readers to “get out, get out, get out!”

es, you – I’m telling you to get up, put your shoes on, open the door and immerse yourself in what a wonderful country and wonderful landscape this is. Even after my 70-plus years here, I’m proud and passionate and loyal to the UK, and I could never live anywhere else; and while those emotions hold firm all year round, in my mind there is never a better time to soak up the majesty of nature than now, with the sun out, the days growing longer, and nature unequivocally at her most resplendent. When I suggest getting outdoors in this way – and I suggest it a lot! – on some occasions I get a comment back that the person isn’t into nature, or doesn’t know where to start when it comes to pruning or trimming. In reality, it doesn’t matter. Of course I want our gardens to be at their most beautiful as regularly as they can, but these spaces are as much about what they give us, as what we give them. So while our own lawns and beds and trellises are often a priority, in these early days of summer I would encourage you

to take the opportunity to sample those of others… in the wild, at a country house, even at a neighbour’s. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so get out there, get imitating, and get inspired. And by the way, take your kids – every time. Get them off their consoles and prise them away from social media, it’s really good for them to see this whole other side of things. It’s funny, the three big things government are always ranting on about are law and order, health, and education. That’s fair enough. And yet, time outdoors, time gardening, gives us all of them. If you’re letting off steam, you're less likely to use your anger in a place where it wouldn't be suitable.

If you're out there, you're learning about how things grow, so that's the education element. And the health part is obvious – fresh air, exercise, open spaces, gardens, parks, woodland, moorland. I know it sounds terribly trite, but I do think if some of these world leaders just went out and pottered about in their garden for an hour every Saturday letting off steam, the world just might be a better place! So, please… get out!

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NATURE

Spotting wild flowers in the Claylands By Helen Baczkowska, Acting Conservation Manager at Norfolk Wildlife Trust

he wild flowers and plants of the Norfolk and Suffolk Claylands tell us stories about the soils beneath our feet, the history of the land and past uses of plants. The clay soils of the area are often slightly chalky, and crosswort is one of the plants that gives this away. As the name suggests, the leaves of crosswort are arranged in a neat cross of four around the stem and the flowers are tiny, but an unusual lemon-green colour. It is a relative of the ‘sticky weed’ children throw onto each other’s backs and was once believed to cure headaches or rheumatism. Other plants found on dry, chalky soils include the delicate quaking grass, with seed pods like tiny lanterns that tremble in the breeze, and a pink-flowered shrub called spiny restharrow. Although less than a metre tall, it has tough roots that were once roundly cursed for snagging in harrows and stopping farm workers in their tracks. Another small shrub is dyer’s greenweed, with yellow flowers

like a miniature snapdragon. In the past it was used to make a yellow dye for cloth, which, when dipped in blue woad dye, turned a distinctive green. Another fan of dry soils is common cat’s ear, which has a tufted yellow flower, like a small dandelion, that rises up from a rosette of wavy-edged leaves. The most distinctive feature of this plant is the black scales called ‘bracts’ on the stem, which are shaped like little cat’s ears. Two of the commonest wayside plants, oxeye daisy and black knapweed, thrive on a wide range of soils. Oxeye daisies have larger flowers than their garden cousins, reaching up to 5cm across and looking like the round eye of an ox, complete with long lashes in the form of the petals. The juice was also once believed to cure eye complaints. Black knapweed is easily confused with a thistle, as the purple flowers are similar, although the leaves are soft and not spiny. The country name ‘hard heads’ refers to the tough, round

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buds and the bright flowers are one of the best food plants for butterflies and bees. On damper soils, meadow buttercups can form summer carpets of gold. Horses and cattle tend to avoid eating the bitter leaves, so the flowers thrive on land grazed by these animals. They are much taller than the creeping buttercup we find in our gardens, with finely cut leaves and branching stems. On old pastures and hay meadows, especially those that have never or only rarely been ploughed, pepper saxifrage can grow. Like the commoner cow parsley, it’s a member of the carrot family, with an upside down umbrella of green flowers and leaves that release an aniseed smell when crushed.

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NATURE

Black Knapweed, credit David North

Meadow Buttercup, credit David North

Learning to identify wild flowers can seem daunting at first, but starting with a few easy, common flowers is the gateway to a wonderful way to discover more about the history and wildlife of the Claylands.

Burkmarr Eristalis Pertinax, Hoverfly, on oxeye daisy, credit David North

Hairy dragonfly amongst oxeye daisies, Pensthorpe Natural Park, credit Steve Evans

Crosswort, credit David North

You can support the Wilder Connections project by spotting these key summer species while out walking in the South Norfolk Claylands. You will need to download our ‘walking flower spotter’ survey sheet and send us your results. Visit our website for more details: www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wilderconnections

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GIVEAWAY

The show must go on! Village People has 4 pairs of tickets to give away to see the rock and orchestra spectacular, Queen Symphonic, on Friday 22 July at Newmarket Racecourse

ueen Symphonic celebrates the greatest and most treasured hits of the legendary band Queen, bringing together international stars from the award-winning musical We Will Rock You, an incredibly talented rock band and a symphony orchestra. Since its premiere in 2007, Queen Symphonic has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Queen fans across the globe, giving them the opportunity to hear the hits as never before. With Queen’s epic catalogue of hits lending itself perfectly to rock and classical interpretation, expect to experience beloved

tracks such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, We Are The Champions, A Kind of Magic, Who Wants To Live Forever, Killer Queen, Don’t Stop Me Now, Fat Bottomed Girls, Somebody to Love and many, many more. With over 40 performers on stage, this concert is truly worthy of the world of symphonic rock.

WIN

To be in with a chance of winning, visit www.village-people.info and follow the links to the competition page. Closing date is Friday 15 July 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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POETRY

Poetry Corner Louis Sacksen, from East Harling, has written many short stories and poems over the years, and published some of them himself in a paperback that sold very well locally. 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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LOCAL HISTORY

Memories of Oakley 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 Oakley.

 Oakley Street on the Hoxne to Stuston Road, taken in 1910, with a very early motor car in the distance.

 The Lincolnshire Yeomanry at Oakley Park,  Soldiers on a motorbike in Oakley Park, in 1915. The photograph was taken by Earnest Abraham, who travelled with troops on manoeuvres.



Oakley Park soldiers from the Staffordshire Yeomanry, in 1915, posing for the camera with their goat mascot.

taken in 1914 by Earnest Abraham, who travelled with the troops.



This 1915 postcard shows billets for solders at Oakley Park, who trained there before going to France.

LOCAL HISTORY

Looking along Oakley Street, this 1911 postcard

shows a mix of old and new houses. The population at the time was 236.

 Bottom Left: The Oakley Harriers, in 1920, on a hunt at Worlingworth. They travelled from village to village with landowners’ permission and must have been quite a sight! Bottom Right: The Oakley Green Man pub, in 1912, with its delightful thatched roof. The landlord at the time was Robert Green. The pub closed in the 1960s.

The Norfolk Postcard Club is now closed permanently. But 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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Guest appearance from

GIVEAWAY

Frida Can you find Frida the Beagle?

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To be in with a chance of winning a £100 M&S voucher, simply read this magazine from cover to cover and find Frida 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 8 July 2022 and the usual Village People rules apply.

Where Bella was hiding in our previous issue: Glasswells – Page 59

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The The good good in in the the wood! wood!

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Thomas Hoepfner, from Bright Forest Ltd, answers your questions about timber buildings. Thomas Hoepfner, from Bright Forest Ltd, answers your questions about timber buildings.

Timber can burn, isn’t this Timber can burn, isn’t this dangerous? dangerous? There is a difference between There is a difference between timber-frame and mass-timber timber-frame and mass-timber buildings; mass-timber will char. buildings; willcomply char. All timber mass-timber buildings must All timber buildings must comply with strict fire regulations. with strict fire regulations.

Is it healthier to live in a Is it healthier timber house?to live in a timber house? at home We feel intuitively We feel intuitively at home surrounded with timber and, as with surrounded with timber and, as with any new builds, it’s very important any new builds, it’s very important with modern timber buildings not to withharmful modernchemicals timber buildings not to use and paints. use harmful chemicals and paints.

What about when it gets wet? What it to gets Timberabout has to when stay dry be wet? Timber has to staywell-planned dry to be durable. Modern, durable. buildingsModern, keep thewell-planned timber dry and buildings allow for akeep longthe life.timber dry and allow for a long life.

How does the price compare How does the price compare with traditional builds? with builds? It is a traditional little bit more expensive, It is the a little bit more expensive, but building times are much but the building times aredoesn’t much shorter, and the building shorter, andout thebefore building need to dry youdoesn’t move in. need to dry out before you move in.

What about the heating bills? What about Depending onthe the heating level of bills? Dependingand on the level of insulation craftsmanship, insulation and craftsmanship, heating bills arethe significantly lower. heating bills are significantly Some timber buildings don’t lower. Someheating timber buildings need at all, but don’t masonry need heating at all, butmore masonry buildings always need because buildings always moretoo. because the walls have to need be heated the walls have to be heated too.

Can I choose from Can I choose from different designs? different designs? Timber houses come in different Timber houses come in different styles and designs. A good company styles and designs. A goodbespoke company should offer a completely should offer a completely bespoke service to meet all your room service to meet all your room requirements. requirements.

What about sustainability? What about sustainability? Building a house isn’t just for your Buildingbut a house isn’t just for lifetime, for generations toyour come. lifetime, but forquality, generations to come. The better the the better it is Thethe better the quality,These the better it is for environment. days we for thetoenvironment. These days we need build as energy efficiently need to build as with energy efficiently as possible, and carefully crafted as possible, withthis carefully crafted solid timberand houses is more solid achievable. timber houses this is more than than achievable.

For more details on For more details on email solid timber houses, solid timber houses, email design@brightforest.co.uk design@brightforest.co.uk or call 01379 886022. or call 01379 886022.

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ART

Wanderlust and watercolours

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

James Mayhew

ye, in Suffolk, might seem an unlikely destination for an artist who loves to travel the world, but for designer, illustrator and author Dorien Brouwers, rural Suffolk has provided its own adventures. Hailing from the Netherlands, as a child she always drew. Unsure of which direction to take her talent, she eventually chose Graphic Design as her area of study, initially in Holland. However, she longed to travel, and after exciting excursions around the world she embarked on a successful career for a graphic design company in London where she met her husband, Stephen – her boss at the time. When their son was born, they realised London life in a small flat wasn’t going to work. Visiting friends in Eye, they discovered the house opposite – an old bank – was up for sale, and so made the move to Suffolk. The house is beautiful, full of Scandinavian-style painted wood and period features, with a labyrinth of rooms and stairs. “Difficult to heat,” admits Stephen, but it’s been home for seven years now, and has the space for chickens outside and calm, clean studio space inside. In the 52

music room I discover the graceful shape of a harp; Dorien is also an accomplished harpist. Motherhood gave Dorien a break from work, and the time to play around with ideas for children’s books. It’s a common scenario – aren’t we all supposed to have a book in us?! But Dorien proves it’s not an empty dream. With hard work, dedication, and, of course, a talent, she has realised her ambition in a spectacular fashion, with publishers now bidding against each other for future projects. She developed her first book ‘The Remarkable Pigeon’ in 2018 (published by Salariya Publishing). This was followed by ‘Sail' (Little, Brown in 2021),

a beautiful, sweeping book with dazzling illustrations in shades of teal and turquoise, leading us through a lyrical tale of a young boy finding his own courage. Her latest book ‘Wild Beings’ was published this Spring by Little Brown, and similarly explores the links between the animal and human world. She is currently developing an exciting new project for Penguin Random House. What strikes me is the beautiful painterly quality of Dorien’s work. It disguises the fact that there is huge control and skill involved in the way she assembles her images. As a child, watercolour was always her preferred medium, a passion she has carried through to adulthood. Dorien first paints

toilet with hroom r

ART

intricate sheets of creatures – assorted sea life for ‘Sail’, for example. All these exquisite little paintings – on their own they are beautiful – are scanned into a computer and then placed on a very free, almost impressionistic background, created either in watercolour or gorgeous, one-off monoprints. Compiling the final image is painstaking, careful work, using Photoshop to place each component. In today’s world of book illustration, working digitally is commonplace. It’s rare, however, to find work that retains the integrity of the hand-made. Dorien somehow achieves that with her vibrant, immersive images. The natural world is a strong unifying theme, from sea creatures to beasts to birds in the air. Environmental considerations sit alongside human emotions.

It’s clear Dorien is an unusually thoughtful, reflective creator and as I prepare to leave the conversation shifts. I ask Dorien how she feels about creating art in such a volatile, troubled world. “I have questioned it.” she replies. “All we can do is spread some hope and love and beauty in whatever way we can.” Hope, love and beauty abound in Dorien’s work which will, I’m sure, touch and enrich many young lives.

Dorien Brouwers

Web: dorienillustrator.com Insta: @dorienillustrator Web: jamesmayhew.co.uk Insta & Twitter: @mrjamesmayhew

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BOOKS

Riveting READS We all love a good book. With summer hols on the cards, here is Village People’s recommended selection of fiction that can whisk you away to far-off places. Book Lovers By Emily Henry This is the tale of Nora Stephens, who has a life ensconced in books. She has read them all, but the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients and beloved little sister Libby. When she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls in August with Libby, she meets Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute!

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty By Akwaeke Emezi (2 June)

A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting By Sophie Irwin

A deeply heartfelt romance novel about a woman named Feyi who eases back into the dating scene after an accident killed the love of her life five years prior. The book has courted not just the imagination of the bookreading public, but screenplay writers as well, and is already being adapted into a movie.

A smart debut novel from the London-based author that combines intelligence with craft. Lead character Kitty Talbot needs a fortune, or rather a husband who has a fortune. This is 1818 after all, and only men have the privilege of seeking their own riches. With only 12 weeks until the bailiffs call, Kitty must use every ounce of cunning and ingenuity. Can she secure a fortune and save her sisters from poverty?

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WHAT'S ON THIS MONTH

Village Notice Board

Thursday day 2 June, 4pm

QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE EVENT Diss Park towncouncil@diss.gov.uk 01379 643848

Saturday 4 June, 10.30am ‘COME AND RING’ ST MARY'S HANDBELL RINGER'S HALESWORTH – INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP Halesworth Library l.sherman654@btinternet.com 01986 798397 Sunday 5 June, 11am BUNWELL & CARLETON RODE JUBILEE CELEBRATION Bunwell Village Hall & Playing Field NR16 1SW bandcrcs@gmail.com Saturday 11 June, 10am MONTHLY CRAFT MARKET St Mary's Church, Attleborough attleboroughchurch@btinternet.com 01953 454977 Saturday 11 June, 7pm HEXACHORDIA, EARLY MUSIC TRIO Bergh Apton Church NR15 1BX eventbrite.com/cc/bergh-aptonjubilee-festival-138829

Sunday 12 June, 10am KELSALE-CUM-CARLTON OPEN GARDENS Kelsale IP17 2PB clairebuttle50@gmail.com 07930 454112

Sunday 3 July, midday OPEN GARDEN FOR ST. JOHN AMBULANCE Elsing Hall, Elsing NR20 3DX georginaholloway@hotmail.co.uk 07767 327257

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Sunday 3 July, midday DISS CARNIVAL Diss Town Centre carnival@diss.gov.uk 01379 643848 Saturday 9 July, 10am SUMMER FETE St Mary's Church, Attleborough attleboroughchurch@btinternet.com 01953 454977 Saturday 16 July, 1pm VILLAGE SHOW Ilketshall St Margaret Village Hall NR35 1QZ flowershow70@yahoo.com 07941 826772 Sunday 17 July, midday OPEN GARDEN FOR ST. JOHN AMBULANCE Besthorpe Hall, Attleborough NR17 2LJ georginaholloway@hotmail.co.uk 07767 327257 Saturday 23 July, 7pm CONCERT – ANDREW PETERSON INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN SINGER/SONGWRITER Bergh Apton Church NR15 1BX 01508 558440

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PROPERTY

TOP TIPS

for selling your home By August Atkinson, Residential Sales Manager at Durrants Estate Agents in Diss.

hen it comes to selling your home, first impressions really do count, because people often buy into a lifestyle as much as a property. They need to be able to envisage what it would look like if they were living there. Buyers often find this difficult, so here are my top tips to help make your home as appealing as possible to prospects. Kerb appeal Your house may be stunning inside, but the outside also needs to look cared for and well maintained. Sometimes you only get one chance to make a good first impression, and while you may be focusing on beautifying your indoors the exterior of your property is just as important. People often make a decision about whether or not they are interested in buying a property just from how it looks on the outside…before they even step over the threshold. Working the room Let rooms show their purpose. It should be clear what each area of your home is for, and that it ‘works’ – whatever its size. The use and function of some rooms in a house can become blurred over time; the living room becomes part office, the dining room becomes the kids' play area and the spare bedroom might be used for storage.

Clean and clear A home free of clutter feels more spacious, and if it’s clean too buyers will be assured it's well cared for. A major declutter and clean will ensure your home looks, feels and smells its best for viewings. This applies outside too. Gardens are a big draw right now, so mow the lawn, weed the flowerbeds, cut back foliage and place a table and chairs on the patio. Buyers will be able to see the garden as a place to relax in, rather than a job to be tackled. Sweet smell of success Everyone is familiar with the cliche of baking bread or brewing coffee before a viewing, but pleasant odours can enhance the appeal of your property. Instead, try fresh flowers, candles or reed diffusers. Also, ensure any features that first attracted you to the property are visible.

Blank canvas Viewers need to be able to imagine themselves living in your house, so depersonalise it as much as possible. You are setting a stage for them to project their own image of a ‘better life’ onto your home. If buyers think you live a good life in your house, they'll think a good life awaits them there too! Buyers will fall in love with your house when they can imagine themselves living there, and make your house their home.

To contact August Atkinson, call 01379 642233, or email August.Atkinson@durrants.com

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Janette and her team use a fantastic approach to selling-making the whole process easier for her clients in every way and achieving amazing results. This is really the best way to make the most of the wonderful market conditions we are continuing to see into Summer 2022. Being local and working in this market for nearly 30 years you can be sure you are getting the right advice from day one. We can’t give away all our secrets here but please call Janette to get a really up to date idea of things- prices are changing all the time and you may be amazed!

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This is a long review but please read. My mother’s bungalow of non standard construction needed to be sold to a cash buyer. I asked three local agents to come and see the property. Jeanette Churchill from Howards in Long Stratton stood out with her knowledge, professionalism and above all enthusiasm. She suggested an Open Day, which went extremely well. The bungalow sold from that event and it has been plain sailing all the way through. She kept me in touch with how things were progressing along with her able assistant, Cheyenne. I thoroughly recommend this team to you all. EC Amazing service from start to finish. Janette made our decision to buy with Howard’s so easy with her friendly, positive & professional outlook. Cheyenne in the office helped to continue this with friendly & proficient expertise to get us into our dream home. Thank you to all at Howard’s!! SQ

Please call me for a valuation and to discover what just might be the best move you could ever make!

Janette Churchill

Partner & Long Stratton Property Expert T 01508 532 244 E janette.churchill@howards.co.uk 64

RECIPE

Paul Hollywood’s Authentic Cornish Pasty Serves 5

INGREDIENTS For the pastry 450g plain flour Salt 115g cold lard, diced 75g cold unsalted butter, diced About 90ml ice-cold water 1 egg, lightly beaten, to glaze For the filling 1 large onion 120g swede

A Cornish pasty is one of those things we almost always buy, yet in baking terms the concept is really very simple. After all, this was a home-baking staple for the tin miners of Cornwall, with its thick crust ready to be disposed

of so that dirty hands wouldn’t contaminate the meat. Delicious, wholesome, and great added to vegetables or salad for a main meal, the pasty really is one of my favourites.

1 large floury potato, such as King Edward or Maris Piper

3. Heat the oven to 2000C/Gas mark 6. Divide the pastry into five equal pieces. Roll each out on a lightly floured surface to a 3mm thickness and cut out a 24cm circle, using a plate as a guide.

5. Brush the pastry border with a little beaten egg, then close the lid of the pasty, making sure that the edges meet. Press together firmly and then crimp the edges by pinching all the way around between your thumb and forefinger. Fill and seal the remaining circles of pastry in the same way.

400g beef skirt 50g butter Salt and pepper to season

METHOD 1. To make the pastry, mix the flour and salt in a large bowl, add the lard and butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in enough of the ice-cold water to make a fairly firm dough, then knead briefly until smooth. Shape into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes. 2. Now move on to the filling, slicing the onion finely to start. Cut the swede and potato into small, thin strips; keep each separate. Cut the beef into small, thin pieces and divide into five portions.

4. Scatter a scant layer of swede on the pastry semi-circle, leaving a 1cm border. Add a similar layer of potato, season lightly and top with some onion. Repeat the swede and potato layers, seasoning as you go. Check the pasty will close, then add the beef. Add a final layer of onion, season and dot with butter.

6. Put the pasties on two baking trays and cut two small slits in the middle of each one. Brush with beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes, then lower the oven to 1600C/Gas mark 3 and bake for 30 minutes longer.

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HEALTH

Sneeze-free gardening for hay fever sufferers P

runing or cutting the grass can be a nightmare for hay fever sufferers, making the garden a no-go zone! Follow these sneeze-free gardening and lifestyle tips and pollen won’t banish you from green spaces. n

Grass pollen is the biggest trigger for allergy sufferers, so it’s vital to mow the lawn regularly to prevent the grasses from flowering, which reduces pollen. Wear a mask while mowing.

n Use a sprinkler before a gardening

Jump in the shower immediately after gardening and wash your hair to remove trapped allergens. Change into fresh clothes afterwards.

Arm yourself for the season by eating lots of fruit and veggies which are immune boosting with vitamin C.

Reduce the dairy content of your diet, as these can really block up the mucous membranes in the nose.

session to helps lay the pollen, as some plants stop shedding pollen in wet conditions. n

Aim to plant low allergy options such as lavender, iris, rose, and peony. If the flower is insect pollinated it should be fine, because the pollen tends to be heavy and falls to the ground. If the plant is wind pollinated the pollen is designed to stay in the air.

Limit your gardening to cool or cloudy days and venture out in the afternoon when the pollen count in the air is generally lower.

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Curb the caffeine and opt for anti-inflammatory green or white tea if your nasal passages are pouring. Caffeine triggers histamine release.

Spread a little barrier balm such as coconut oil around the edge of each nostril to trap or block pollen. Reapply each time you blow your nose.

Try a natural herbal helper such as Vogel Pollinosan, which works on all the symptoms of hay fever and allergic rhinitis. It doesn’t have the drowsy side effects associated with some hay fever medication. Available as a tablet, tincture, eye drop or nasal spray, it’s easy and safe to use.

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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.

n Do regular, suitable weightbearing and muscle strengthening exercises, alongside exercises to improve balance

Keep your glasses clean and in good repair and attend regular eye tests n

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

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HEALTH

Move better – Feel better

Harry Rowland, from H Space Movement, tells us how we can look after our joints.

oint health can be a major obstacle for many people, and it can affect our mood, energy and day-to-day choices. Injury, inflammatory conditions and operations are often seen as non-preventative and this worries me, because we are all living longer but far less active lives, and technology has taken over – especially in the last two years. With more people working from home, we are moving less and sitting more, losing that potential to walk or commute to where we need to go. Over time, this affects our physical condition, because we are designed to move and not sit still. If you sit for too long, you will often feel a creaking in the shoulder, or a dull ache in the hips or back. These are all warning lights on our human dashboard telling us to get up and move, change our posture or position. Just like in your car, if you leave a dashboard warning light on for too long, problems may be up ahead and you're in the workshop hoping to get it fixed!

So, we need to take more responsibility for our joints and move them fully each and every day. Often we see exercise as a punishment, but it needs to be sustainable and enjoyable – something we build into our daily routine in our 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. If you take five minutes each day to move your hips, shoulders and spine, you are guaranteed to feel better in three months. When you know you can improve the way your body and mind feel, you are enabled and fully empowered

to address other areas, helping you to become a more healthy and active individual. This not only benefits you, but also your loved ones. Here is a final thought: if some of you think that moving your joints is alien or pointless, think about this…do you brush your teeth twice a day for fun?! H Space Movement hspacemovement.com 07903 651072 hspacemovement@gmail.com

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Ear health and hearing is every Ear health and hearing is every bit as important as our eye bit as important asSo our eye health and vision. if you health and So if you suspect youvision. have hearing loss, suspect hearing loss, how canyou youhave be sure? how can you sure? Hearing lossbe can affect anyone Hearing loss can affect anyone and often progresses so gradually and often that it canprogresses be difficultso togradually notice that canexperience be difficultsymptoms. to notice untilityou until youloss experience symptoms. Hearing has far-reaching Hearing loss has far-reaching effects on your health, so getting on help your you health, soitgetting aeffects test can catch early. aRegardless test can help you age catch early. of your or it job, Regardless of your or job, everyone should getage a hearing everyone should get ahearing hearingisn’t test if they feel their test if they feel their isn’t as good as it used to hearing be. Those as good as it are used to be.older Thosethan most at risk people most at risk are people older than 60, and workers in high-noise 60, and workers in high-noise occupations. occupations. A test will determine if there will loss determine if there isAa test hearing and how mild is hearing loss andalso howhelp mild orasevere it is. It can or severe is. Itof can also help define theittype hearing define the typeconductive, of hearing loss you have: loss you have: conductive, sensorineural or mixed and sensorineural mixed best and to whether it willor respond whether it will respond bestaids, to medical treatment, hearing medical treatment, hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing systems bone-anchored hearing systems or cochlear implants. or cochlear implants. Hearing Test Hearing Test This should take no more than This should take no more an hour. It begins with thethan an hour. It begins audiologist asking with you athe few audiologist asking you a few

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telephone calls and audio from telephone and audio from your devicecalls to the hearing aids your device to the hearing aids gives you clear, high definition gives clear, high soundyou whether it be definition a phone sound whether it be or a phone conversation, music watching conversation, the match! music or watching the Although match! technology is Although technology changing all the time, theisthree changing all remain the time, the three types of aids the same types aids remain the ITE same – BTEof(Behind the Ear), – ITE (InBTE the (Behind Ear) andthe RICEar), (Receiver (InCanal). the Ear)Your andaudiologist RIC (Receiver in will take in Your take youCanal). through allaudiologist options andwill help you through alldecision options and help make the right for you, make the right decision for you, and organise follow-up appointments. and organise follow-up appointments. Thank you to Cecil Amey Thank you&toHearing Cecil Amey Opticians Care Opticians & Hearing Care cecilameyopticians.co.uk cecilameyopticians.co.uk

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Kicking back against inflation Stop price rises damaging your retirement spending power

s inflation soars to its highest level in a decade, maximising your pension allowances becomes even more important for protecting your retirement income. Many people have been lucky enough to maintain income security and even save money during the pandemic, helping to top up their pension pot. The biggest threat to your retirement income is inflation, which may erode the value of your pension savings over the years. So it is important to understand how the price rises can have an impact on how much you save each year and on your spending power. Be an early bird The earlier you start saving into your pension, and the longer your money is invested, the more it has the potential to grow – thanks to compounding. This happens when your investments grow and then achieve additional growth on the new larger balance each year, increasing exponentially. Grab current tax breaks You get an automatic top-up for basic-rate tax relief with all personal pension contributions. The government pays that money directly into your plan, via your pension provider. If you’re a basicrate taxpayer and have £4,000 to invest in your pension, you’ll get £1,000 in tax relief on day one, bringing your total contribution up to £5,000. If you’re a higher or additional-rate taxpayer, you can claim even more tax relief via your annual tax return. 74

Carry it forward You can invest as much as you like into your pension each year subject to an overall lifetime allowance limit of £1,073,100, but you currently only get tax relief on up to £40,000 of pension contributions in each tax year, or 100% of earnings if lower. You can also mop up previous years’ allowances, which means some individuals – such as the self-employed – can make a significantly larger pension contribution in a single tax year. Providing you have already maximised your current year’s allowance, you can carry forward any unused allowance from the past three tax years. That means you could add up to £160,000 to your pot, if you have the earnings to support that. Paying in Pensions tax relief on personal contributions is automatically paid at 20%, so if you’re a higherrate or additional rate taxpayer, you can claim the additional 20% or 25% in your self-assessment tax return. The further tax relief is

paid to you by HMRC via a rebate on completion of your return. So, by paying more into a pension, you’ll pay less tax, leaving you even more to put towards your retirement. Invest wisely The assumptions you made when you first took out your pension – including inflation expectations – may not be the same today. Your portfolio of underlying investments may also have changed in nature. So, it’s worth getting good financial advice to make sure your investment strategy is still right for you. The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be linked directly to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

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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REAL LIVES

Sky’s the limit for charity action

aptops for students, hope for homeless addicts and food for hungry families – The Norfolk Community Foundation works alongside more than 100 charities and voluntary groups to transform Norfolk communities. Henry Cator (OBE) took on the challenge of chairman at the independent charity five years ago, building on a legacy to help some of the most vulnerable and challenged with vital finance and resources. He has lived in Norfolk all his life, and lives in the house where he was born, so he is passionate about seeing the county thrive and shine. Henry has brought a unique pioneering spirit of adventure to his role. This has included jumping from a plane at 14,000 feet for a sponsored charity skydive with the former Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James (a co-founder of the Foundation) and their spouses. That daring feat raised £32,000 for the Matthew Project in Norwich, proving that the sky really is the limit! His chairman role has been forged with experience, compassion and an outworking Christian faith. During an illustrious career he has been

instrumental in raising millions to help worthy causes over the last 25 years. Henry attended church with his father and later went to boarding school, but before leaving home his father gave him a prayer book. Inside were the words of a well-known prayer about giving without counting the cost; labouring without reward and toiling without seeking rest. It set the course for his life. “If we can help those less fortunate it is worthwhile,” says Henry. “The pandemic has meant a widening gulf between those who have and those who have not. It’s worrying if society ignores the suffering. But Norfolk is special, hundreds and thousands of people are prepared to volunteer – it’s the mortar that holds the fabric of our community together, as action speaks louder than words. We gave away £4m of grant money over each of the last two years, but it’s amazing how quickly you can spend it! “Needs are immense and heart breaking. At the Matthew Project, for example, clients suffer rejection and demise, resulting in addiction and hard, lean street living. But one client I spoke to who lived in the city and wanted to be involved

in the countryside now helps with woodland maintenance, and seeing the smile on his face is fantastic because it means so much.” He talks about the ‘Good Samaritan’ story Jesus told: “He stopped and picked up the man who was robbed and beaten and took him to the inn, paying the unconditional costs for his recovery. Showing unconditional love and support is often the bit that gets missed, but it can come with giving expertise and time – not just money.” As his chairman role ended recently, he says: “If you enjoy what you are doing in life there is a better chance of doing it well. Variety has been the ‘spice of life’ but it has always been about people – it is after all “that in giving we receive.”

Henry Cator OBE www.norfolkfoundation.com

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Village People South Norfolk edition – June / July 2022 (Early Summer)

Articles inside

Exercise your brain cells with our crossword

Refreshing Waters - The Norfolk Community Foundation

Finance - kicking back against inflation

Ear health and hearing with Cecil Amey

Property - top tips for selling your home

Health - gardening tips for hay

Health - how to look after your joints

Recipe for Paul Hollywood’s authentic Cornish pasty

Book reviews - fiction for

Memories of Oakley

Homes - focus on timber buildings

Poetry Corner with Louis Sacksen from East Harling

WIN tickets to see Queen Symphonic at Newmarket Racecourse

Recipe for Miso Caramel Apple Cake

Greenfingers with Alan

Latitude returns for summer

Walking for health around Framingham Pigot East & Yelverton

Garden Jottings from The Garden Enclosure

WIN tickets to three amazing music concerts in Earlham Park

Ladies of Letters arrives in Norwich