Village People Norfolk/Suffolk border edition Winter 13 by Village People Magazines Ltd

Winter 2013

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

Cinderella

WIN

brings fairy-tale magic to Norwich

a Christ as hampem r

Get CRAFtY in Harleston this Christmas

WiN

tickets to the Hippodrome Circus

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Plan ahead this

CHRISTMAS to avoid a New Year

How to heat your home for less Recipe from Relish at Newton Flotman Give money to charity in your will

financial hangover

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Top tips for buying a new mattress Local walk around Loddon and Hales Garden vouchers inside

The independent magazine for the Norfolk / Suffolk border village people

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There are three editions of the magazine, allowing you to target a speciﬁc area or reach all 45,000 homes! For a detailed map showing all 190 villages visit www.village-people.info Early Summer

Early Spring 2013

ABOUT ENS • OUT & HOMES • GARD

• JOBS & MONE

Have a field day with Mum at Chapelfield Pages 58-59

CES • LOCAL SERVI Y • HEALTH

HOMES • GARDEN S • OUT & ABOUT • JOBS & MONEY • HEALTH • LOCAL CAL SERVICES

A Magic Carpet Ride

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Advertising in Village People really works

Winter Warmers Our guide to local brews

Plus

q Ladies Who Lunch q review from our q Restaurant reviews q book and film money es q Latest in East Anglia managing your q Local food choice of activiti q Top tips for spring with our q Have fun this region our from q Good news

q If you only buy one thing this month. .. q Is small beautiful in the car world? q How the new pension reforms affect you

ABOU ENS • OUT & HOMES • GARD

T • JOBS & MON

• LOCAL SERVI EY • HEALTH

CES

Wymondham Music Festival

Local Art at

Suffolk Open Studios

22nd June – 7th July

Local K WALThe

High Society comes to town

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CONTENTS

WINTER 2013

Out and About

8 Good News from our region 13 Ask the audiologist 14 Ladies who Lunch visit Sweet Briar Bistro 17 Cinderella comes to Norwich 21 Local walk around Loddon and Hales 22 Village Notice Board 25 WIN a family ticket for four at the Circus 27 Mums the word visit Middleton’s in Norwich 29 Make sure your pets have a Happy New Year

17 51 55 57 59 63

Shopping

Home and Garden

33 Christmas Jottings from Ken 37 Ask the experts chat to Smart Garden Oﬃces 41 Discover some hidden treasurers this winter 42 Are you worried about home security?

Choose the right stove for your home Latest film reviews Great recommendations from your area WIN a fabulous Christmas hamper Do you need new tyres for winter?

45 Travellers’ tales dips into Rural Rides 47 Top Tips: how to choose the best mattress 49 A life changing African adventure

64 Get crafty in Harleston this Christmas 68 Book reviews, local titles 73 Make your own glamorous Christmas decorations

Heath and Beauty

77 Ancient oriental astrology 79 Health Q&A – suffering from stress? 81 In good health

Jobs, Money and Business

85 Plan ahead this Christmas & avoid a financial hangover 87 Leaving money to charity in your will

Services 91 92 93 94

Are you looking for a particular product or service? Check out our Local Business Directory on pages 92 & 93!

Car review: Vauxhall Mokka Find a local business or service Thinking of advertising? Winter recipe for Cullen Skink

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Out & About

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Welcome

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

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

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

Lily

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

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

Winter 2013

ENS • OUT HOMES • GARD

& MONE & ABOUT • JOBS

CES • LOCAL SERVI HOMES • GARDEN Y • HEALTH S • OUT & ABOUT T • JOBS & MONE • JOBS & MONEY • • OUT & ABOU HEALTH • LOCAL SERVICE VICESSHOMES • GARDENS

LOCAL SERVICES Y • HEALTH •

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

Today Joules continue to design upbeat clothing for men, women and children who love the outdoors and live life to the full. With the quality of a bygone age of craftsmanship classic pieces and old favourites are constantly reworked into iconic pieces that are made to last season after season.

Good news New landlords at d The Queens Hea

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

Joules have opened a new shop at the Arc shopping centre in Bury St Edmunds so it’s good news for lovers of fashion and the great outdoors! www.arc-burystedmunds.com

s at... Come & visit u Sweet Briar Garden Centre

Ashton & Co.

Also Sweet Briar Bistro en View our Gard dar Evening Calen OPEN: 9am-5pm (Mon-Sat) 10am-4pm (Sundays & Bank Hols) (evenings by arrangement) Tel. 01953 451655 London Road, Attleborough, Norfolk. NR17 1AY

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

Tel: 01379 641044 Mobile: 07960 536428

Email: info@ashtonlets.co.uk www.ashtonlets.co.uk

from our region gion Another design award for local architect

Save up t o 70% on your

heat ing bil ls

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

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

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

Canvas Framed Prints Top quality materials and professional service       

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www.canvasframedprints.co.uk 9

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

am village

d.com

www.gislinghamsilverban

for individuals and corporate companies

Business cards, ﬁne prints, greetings cards, calendars, letterheads, invoice sets, computer stationery, booklets, full colour catalogues and much more!

01379 651107 www.tcprinters.co.uk

Support group

for new mums launches a charity calendar

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

support offered by NMWM.

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

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

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

Professional and affordable website design to promote your business? We understand that every business has different requirements and budgets and will look after you personally from start to finish. Covering Suffolk & South Norfolk.

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

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Out & About

I italian food

pizza - pasta - grills

Restaurant, Takeaway and Home Delivery

FREE BOTTLE OF WINE

Spend £20 or more on food in the restaurant and get a bottle of wine FREE! Voucher must be presented before ordering. Only one offer can be used per table. You must be 18 or over. I.D. may be required. Offer ends 31/1/2014.

FREE STARTER OR DESSERT

This voucher entitles you to a free starter or Mövenpick ice cream with all main course meals. Choose from pizza, pasta or grills to receive your free starter or ice cream. Voucher must be presented before ordering. Only one offer can be used per table. Offer ends 31/1/2014.

TWO FOR ONE

Order two starters and get one free. Order two mains and get one free. Order two ice-creams and get one free.

Voucher must be presented before ordering. Offer valid for Thursday, Friday and Saturday lunchtimes, 12noon – 3pm. The lowest price choice will be free. Only one offer can be used per table. Offer ends 31/1/2014.

Greek Nights

Enjoy a vast selection of superb Greek food, cooked as it should be in an original taverna atmosphere. Have an unforgettable evening with amazing food and music ‘til late. Greek Night is every last Friday of the month so for a great night out, book your table NOW.

01379 308086

www.italianjobs.co.uk 13B Hopper Way Sandy Lane, Diss, IP22 4GT

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

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

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

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

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

Ladies Who Lunch Sweet briar biStro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BOTTOM LINE Pork Chicken 2 Puds Drinks and coffees TOTAL

£9.95 £8.95 £9.90 £12.80 £41.60

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

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

Out & About Redwings

Horse Sanctuary

The home of Turkish Cuisine in Diss

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

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

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

Ring 01379 642147 or book a table online at

www.turkuaz.co.uk

146 Victoria Road, Caxton House, Unit 6, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4JN

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

Purpose Built Boarding Cattery Fully Licensed, Insured & Heated

Meet some of our rescued foals TOmbola

Collection & delivery service available Call Angela or Mike 01379 388 979 cats@hillcottagecattery.co.uk www.hillcottagecattery.co.uk

second-hand goods sale gift shop and cafÉ join the adoption club pony grooming Tack sale

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

Hill Cottage Cattery Worlingworth Road, Horham, (near Eye) IP21 5EF

Christmas Eve Afternoon

For the little ones

Bring the kids along for some fun while you relax and enjoy a Christmas drink. £5 per child. Includes a gift from Santa and 3 hours of entertainment. Light snacks available to buy. 3-6pm.

0 £35p.0p

Boxing Day Buffet Lunch Festive carvery lunch served from 12 noon to 3pm.

SPROWSTON MANOR

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Dance

The party to end all parties! Enjoy champagne on arrival, entertainment from a magician, a three course dinner and dancing with a live band and resident DJ before the countdown to 2014 begins! Breakfast rolls served at 12.30am pp to refuel for more dancing!

January Party Nights -

11th / 18th Jan

29 Denmark Street, Diss Tel: 01379 642244 www.parkhotel-diss.co.uk

Out & About

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

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

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

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

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

www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk 17

Out & About

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

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

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

Epic Studios

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

Epic Venue

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

Epic Entertainment

Father walks daughter down the aisle

AFTER LOSING 4.5 STONE

father who was in so much pain he had to retire in his 40s has lost four and a half stone allowing him to walk his only daughter down the aisle for her wedding. And he has recently celebrated his own wedding anniversary too in the best shape since he married his sweetheart Julie, 30 years ago. Paul Brett retired as a technician after ill health, suffering from intense pain, leaving him needing surgery to replace both knee joints. Unable to work, he needed regular painkillers and was short of breath walking. Now, after dropping from 16 stone 12 lbs to a slim 12 stone 5 lbs, and seeing his waist size shrink from 38 inches to 30 inches, he feels better at 50 than he did in his 40s.

Paul, who has two children Laura, 23, and Matthew, 21 and lives at Stowupland, said: “I felt so proud at my daughter’s wedding. I could walk Laura down the church aisle in the best shape since my own wedding, 30 years ago.” His award winning local diet coach John Howard, 43, runs his diet practice from both Eye, near Diss, and from a Stowmarket GP health centre. John lost 7 stone in 5 months himself with the Cambridge Health Plan, seven years ago. He said: “Paul is an inspiration to others who are unhappy with their weight and want one to one support to lose their weight quickly, safely and keep it off.” Dr Simon Rudland, a Stowmarket GP, said: “You and your consultant work one-toone, which is a very important aspect of this diet’s success.”

Before: Paul Brett on holiday in the Lake District.

After: Paul Brett pictured with his son Matthew at Stowupland parish church for his daughter Laura’s wedding to Tony.

Please contact diet coach John Howard today on 01379 678416, 0787 231 4653, or by email: john@live-everyday.co.uk. For further details: www.cambridge-diet.co.uk/johnh

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

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

Prices includes admission; senior/child prices may apply

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

NEW YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

See full programme online or ask for a booklet today

@CheneryLive Like us on Facebook

Out & About

GREAT FOOD, GREAT BEER, GREAT PUB.

Celebrate Christmas by enjoying some warm, friendly hospitality in our proper old fashioned pub. Look out for our live music evenings and come and say hello to our wonderful new chef and managers, Steve and Jessie. CHRISTMAS MENU AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT DECEMBER.

QUEEN’S QUEE ’S HEAD, EYE -FREE HOUSE-

Cross Street, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7AB Tel : 01379 870153 www.queensheadeye.co.uk

GREAT ALES | GOOD FOOD | BEER GARDEN 20

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

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

AL CAROL TRADITION E ROUND TH SINGING A S TREE CHRISTMA

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Fr iends of W ort ham C hurch annual Victorian C

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

C hrdr isayt7mDaecsemQbeurizat 7.30 pm

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8 01379 60876 Bar and raﬄe

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

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list evenytour !

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

n at:

HORHAM BA (Chapel Lane,

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ecember,

2013

6pm

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

War and Peac e

The staff at the

C o-operat ive Travel Diss

Guest speaker

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

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

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

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

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

ber 2.30pm

Decem Sunday 22nd

to 3.45pm

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01379 640227

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

C hr istmas C harit y Sale

Market

Methodist Ch urch Hall, Gt M elton Road, Hethers e tt , N R 9 3AB From 6pm to 9p m Friday

29th Novembe Accompanied by r a programme of se in the body of th asonal music e Church Lig

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Out & About

EASTONS Door to Door Coach Holidays & Day Excursions

NEW 2014 Brochures â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Out Now! Door to Door UK & Continental Coach Holidays, Weekend Breaks, European & Worldwide Flights & Cruises, Day Excursions & Shows

Stuck for Holiday Ideas or just fancy a day out? Call us for a copy of our FREE colour brochures

Look what you get with EASTONS * NO feeders or interchanges * NO hidden extras collection and return * FREE home collec on holidays of 5 days or more * Financial security * All excursions Included in the price Execu Coach Travel * Luxury Executive * Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

visit www.eastonsholidays.co.uk or call 01603 754155 24

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

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

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

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

1 CHILD FREE PER FULL PAYING ADULT

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

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

Out & About

Th T he h e ssm ma m alllll, ffr a riie en e nd n dllly d y ssc ch c ho h oo o oll tth o ha h att g a ge etts re e esssu ullltts u ffo or o r iin nd n diiiv d viid du d ua u alllss a

ENTRANCE EXAMS YR 7-11 SATURDAY 18TH JANUARY We are a 3½ to 18 co-educational independent day school For further information or to request a prospectus telephone 01842 752840 or email: hmsec@thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk - www.thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk “Outstanding” Independent Schools Inspectorate… An independent, co-educational day and boarding school for ages 5 -18

OPEN DAYS

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

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

Richard Durrant in Concert Wednesday December 11th 7.00pm

One of the world’s most accomplished and experimental players

Guitarist Magazine

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

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

Park Road, Diss Norfolk IP22 4AS Tel. 01379 644171

Mums The Word

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

www.middletons-shg.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

Out & About

Eye Veterinary Practice Passionate about delivering an excellent professional & personal service to you and your pets.

Care and treatment of all small animal species and horses Mon, Tue and Fri – 10am-1pm Thurs – 3.30pm-6pm (appointments only)

Unit 17, Brome Industrial Estate, Eye, IP23 7HN

Call now to speak to a member of our dedicated team…

01379 870999

Diss Veterinary Practice Care and treatment of all small animal species and horses

First class treatment!

Uplands Way Vets is a long established practice with clients throughout Norfolk and Suffolk. We care for all types of animals including household and exotic pets, farm animals and horses. Call 01379 642 865 for further information.

Uplands Way Surgery Diss 01379 642 865 Connaught Surgery Attleborough 01953 454 945 George Hill Surgery Stanton 01359 251 730

For a full list of services visit www.uplandswayvets.co.uk

First for Riding We believe that everybody should have the chance to enjoy horses, regardless of age, ability or background

Passionate about delivering an excellent professional and personal service to you and your pets Mon – Fri 8am-6.30pm (with appointment) Sat – 10am-1pm (no appointment necessary)

Cherry Tree Stables, Roydon Road, Diss, IP22 4LN

Call now to speak to a member of our dedicated team…

01379 870999 28

COMPETITIVE PRICES • SPECIAL DISCOUNTS £10 TASTER SESSIONS • And much more . . .

EYE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE, CLINT FARM, CLINT ROAD, EYE IP23 7JE 01379 870303 info@eyeequestrian.co.uk www.eyeequestrian.co.uk

Make sure your pets have a Happy New Year

bout 80% of our pets are afraid of fireworks. Here are some suggestions from The Old Golfhouse Veterinary Group about how to look after your pets during the party season:

l Provide a den or hiding place for your dog. Plug in an Adaptil diffuser near your dog’s den and start using it a few days before fireworks night or New Year . Adaptil also comes in a spray or collar. l Cats tend to find their own hiding place, but you can plug a Feliway plug-in near their chosen area (tends to be under your bed). Plug the diffuser in close to their favourite sleeping spots before the fireworks so they get used to it. Alternatively you can use the spray to spray around the room. l Ensure that all your doors, windows and cat-ﬂaps are secured shut. This reduces the risk of your pet escaping. l Before dark and before the fireworks start it is a good idea

             

to ensure that your cat has come home and is now safely locked inside until morning. Dogs would appreciate a nice walk with plenty of opportunities to go to the toilet before settling in for the night. l Try not to leave your pets home alone while fireworks are going off. They will be a lot more relaxed with a familiar friend around them during this distressing time. l Provide distraction during fireworks. You can use toys and chews. Close the curtains and put

some music or the TV on to help mask the noise. l Cats may be thankful of a few more litter trays around the house, especially if they are not normally used to being confined. l Try to ignore fearful behaviour such as panting, shaking and whining. Dogs can pick up on their owner’s anxiety, which can enhance the problem. l Zylkene can aid cats and dogs. It comes in capsules which can be opened and sprinkled on food or popped straight into the mouth whole. It can be administered to pets daily to relieve stress or predictable stress. It can be used short-term or long-term but will need to be given about seven days prior to the event in order to build within their system. If you do have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at The Old Golfhouse Veterinary Group on 01953 451100 for advice, we are always happy to help.

                    

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

Out & About

Restau Ra nt

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

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

Tinkerbells Day Nursery in Thurston has a new baby unit

months fees*

Call us on 01359 232221 www.tinkerbellsdaynursery.co.uk

* terms and conditions apply

Out & About

Providing a

PROFESSIONAL

and caring service

20% DISCOUNT off office supplies with this voucher or quote VP13

Susan Whymark

Funeral Service Susan Whymark Funeral Service is owned and run by the Whymark Family.

Independent Funeral Service serving Eye, Harleston and the surrounding areas

Susan Whymark

Funeral Service

Telephone personally answered 24 hours a day

Eye 01379 871168 Harleston 01379 851253

Independent and Family Run

www.susanwhymark.co.uk email susan@susanwhymark.co.uk

Chestnut House, 12 Progress Way, Langton Green, Eye, Suffolk, IP32 7HU And 31 Redenhall Road, Harleston, IP20 9HL

Your local independent office supplies company, serving the community

All deliveries to your door FREE of CHARGE To request a catalogue call 01379 688090 or email sales@hillsideofficesupplies.co.uk www.hillsideofficesupplies.co.uk

Home & Garden Mike Smith Gardenworks All types of garden work undertaken

• Grass Cutting • Border Maintenance • Garden Design • Supply & Plant Service • Hedge Cutting • Fencing Services • Garden & Shed Clearance • Pond Maintenance • Odd Jobs • All Aspects of Tree Work

30 years experience • No job too large or small Competitive Rates • Friendly Reliable Service

t: 01379 870140 m: 07860 473518

Deer Stalking in England Ltd. Fully qualified and insured staff carry out Deer census and management. We can advise on fencing and live capture, census and population dynamics. Whatever problem you have please contact us via our website or phone Mark on 07788 961838

www.stalkinginengland.co.uk

PD Garden Services Ditch and pond cleaning/clearing Garden clearance/maintenance Small tree work Hedge trimming/removal Fencing Gutter cleaning Gravel driveways Log splitter available • Fully insured

Call Paul 01379 652903 07827015215 pdgardenservices@aol.com

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

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

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

Cheers, Ken

from The Garden Enclosure at Banham

INDEPENDENT PLANT CENTRE & GARDEN SHOP

01953 888043 www.gardenenclosure.co.uk

Fresh Christmas trees, ﬁr wreaths, gorgeous gifts & goodies, beautiful basketware, ﬂoristry sundries, seasonal plants .... & more!

Find us at Banham Zoo, NR16 2HE - outside Zoo ticket kiosks Open Thursday to Monday lOam to 4pm (closed Dec 25th to Jan 15th)

Making Christm as Special ! ! 33

Home & Garden

paving east anglia ltd

Landscaping & Garden Design Block Paved, Tarmac & Shingle Driveways Patios & All Types of Fencing & Gates Turfing, Plants & Planting We also offer a garden design service with a full scaled drawing or sketch All hard landscaping comes with a 10 year guarantee

call 01953 887346 or 01603 360116 EE N GR

info@noblelandscapers.co.uk Block Paving Specialists Patios Tarmacing/Tar & Chip 01473 530101 / 07983 349769 info@randadriveways.com

N MA

THE

www.noblelandscapers.co.uk

e Surge

Tree surgery Hedgelaying

Hedge and woodland planting Coppicing • Hedge cutting Brush cutting • Pruning Qualified & insured •Free advice & quotation

Traditional Hedgelaying courses and tuition available – email or telephone for details

Kevin Parker

Tel: 07824 534695 or 01508 480780 Email: keeper.kev@btinternet.com

Quality TREE SURGERY at affordable prices Tree felling, dismantling, pruning and pollarding, stump grinding, hedge trimming and reductions.

Call now to arrange a free quote

01379871931

www.northsuffolktrees.co.uk

North Suffolk TREES & GARDENS

Bracket Fungi

by Joan Garnham, Waveney Tree Specialists

racket fungi cause decay and rot in the heartwood of trees which weakens the tree and often results in the tree falling over. The brackets are the fruiting bodies of the fungus and appear in spring, summer or autumn depending on the species.

The brackets release enormous quantities of spores which germinate on wounded wood and penetrate into the heartwood. Many bracket fungi are specific to the particular host trees. Although there are many different bracket fungi they all cause similar symptoms.

External symptoms: Appearance of bracket fruiting bodies on trunk or main branches l Thinning of the canopy l Die back l Falling branches. l

Internal symptoms: White or brown rot in the heartwood l In advanced cases the tree may become hollow l Rot in the base of the trunk or root is particularly damaging because the tree is unstable and may fall l

Controlling bracket fungi Unfortunately little can be done by the time the brackets appear

because this means that the heartwood is already seriously affected. Pruning can often speed up the process by spreading the decay. Removing the brackets has no beneficial affect and may increase the spread of the spores Gardeners are legally responsible for their trees so regular inspection for rot is sensible. If there is any doubt it is wise to seek advice from a suitable consultant.

Home & Garden

Your ideal Driveway installed by ideal Driveway installed by aYour Marshalls Register Contractor a Marshalls Register Contractor is quality assured. is quality assured. As members of the Marshalls Register, the best in the industry, you are assured of a first rate installation of the best quality driveway products. Marshalls are the UK’s biggest supplier of quality driveway products and recommend our professional standards of installation ensuring our driveways will go on looking and performing superbly for years - long after inferior drives have sunk or broken up.

Call today and arrange a free quotation. Little Garth Cottage, High Street,Thelnetham, Diss, Norfolk IP22 1JL

Tel: 01379 897036 Fax: 01379 742702 Mob: 07796 395338 www.landsculpture.co.uk e: james@landsculpture.co.uk

Lake & Pond Aquatics Water Garden Specialist

hempnall lawnmower centre

Selling many brands & models of ride-on mowers, lawnmowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, snow blowers, log splitters, strimmers and much more Servicing and repairs of all garden machinery Collection service available Our well furnished showroom is open to the public

Design • Installation • Maintenance Pond Cleaning • Planting Advice

Expert advice - Competitive Rates t: 01379 652720 m: 07900 370304 e: lakeandpondaquatics@gmail.com

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday mornings 9.30am to 1pm Please feel free to drop by – no appointments needed! Check out the full range at www.mowdirect.co.uk

for friendly advice and guidance on selecting the most appropriate machine for your needs, give one of our sales team a call on

01508 473700 Brick Kiln Lane, Morningthorpe, Long Stratton, Norwich, NR15 2LH

Ask The Experts

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

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

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

How long does it take to build? All our garden studios and oﬃces are manufactured in our Suffolk factory by skilled joiners, with 90% of the work undertaken before we arrive in your garden. So we can deliver and install in just 1-2 days – meaning minimal fuss and disruption to you.

How are Smart Garden Offices made? There’s nothing ﬂimsy or rough around the edges about a Smart Garden Oﬃce/Studio. We use only high quality construction-grade materials and our very own “ISIS”

What about electrics and foundations? We have our own fully qualified electrician who will attend during the installation, so you will be up and running from the moment we hand over the keys. We also have our own groundworks team to

create the perfect foundation for your garden room. We can also undertake any pre-clearance too. We really do provide the full onestop-shop service! One size fits all? Not at all! We offer a full consultation service so each building is bespoke and you choose from a wide range of sizes, finishes, colours, carpets, as well as positioning the windows, doors and sockets to suit you. We have a wide range of options such as fitted furniture (desks, libraries, BookNook), decking and blinds. www.smartgardenoffices.co.uk

Home & Garden

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

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

Field Blewits

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

Velvet Shank

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

Misletoe

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

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

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

ARE YOU WORRIED

About security at home?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Home & Garden

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

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

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

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

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

Home & Garden

Winter Sale

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Mellis Store The Old Mill, Mellis, Nr. Eye, Suffolk IP23 8DW Tel: 01379 783413 www.multiyork.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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REFRESHING WATERS

A life-changing African Adventure

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

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

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

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

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

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Stay warm this winter with a wood burning stove

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

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

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

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

Home & Garden

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Latest Film Releases

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

47 Ronin

The Wolf of Wall Street

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

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

Release: 26th December

Release: 17th January

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

Home & Garden Merry Christmas

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Would you like to recommend a service which you found in Village People?

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

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

Jack’s Norfolk Hampers can be bought online at

www.jacksnorfolkhampers.co.uk

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

WYMONDHAM’S HOME FURNISHINGS JARROLDS CAN OFFER EXPERT ADVICE AND GREAT PRICES ON ALL ASPECTS OF HOME FURNISHINGS AND ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE HISTORIC TOWN OF WYMONDHAM SINCE 1988 LINENS HOUSEWARES FURNITURE CARPETS & RUGS CURTAINS COOKSHOP UPHOLSTERY SOFT FURNISHINGS BEDS MATTRESSES LIFT AND RISE ELECTRIC CHAIRS

MIDDLETON STREET, WYMONDHAM 01953 603251 JARROLD.CO.UK

Home & Garden

R. Oldfield

Geoffrey Reeve Architect

Carpenter and General Builder -Property Maintenance - Carpentry and Joinery - Plastering and Rendering - Kitchen Fitting - Patios, Paving and Decking - Replacement Doors and Windows -Roofing, Roof repairs - Fascia and Barge Board replacement - Guttering - Painting and Decorating - Timber Flooring Wall and Floor Tiling - Extensions and Renovations - Conversions and Restorations - Timber Framed Buildings - Fencing

Full or partial Architectural Service from measured survey, sketch proposals & scheme design to Planning and Building Regs applications through to project management, contract administration and completion on site. Any size of project, large, small, residential or commercial New build, extensions, conversions, alterations, work to Listed buildings, eco-design etc Free initial on-site consultation

Free estimations, advice and written quotations upon request

t: 01953 860285 e: geoff@geoffreeve.com

Call 07979 361 682 or 01379 783 458

rience exp pe

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS

ence - ex eri

rience - ex pe

PAUL LOVETT

www.geoffreevearchitect.co.uk

YEARS

Repairs to most brands of washing machines, cookers, tumble dryers, dishwashers and vacuum cleaners.

rience - ex pe

Fast and friendly service

01379 608183 DJA Handyman Services Fencing www.djahandyman.co.uk Painting 07786 991333 Decks and Patios dave@djahandyman.co.uk Tiling Dave Allison General Garden maintenance Flat pack assembly Handyman, Property Garden Features and Gar Garden Maintenance Kennels, Cat houses, Hutches, etc Bathrooms Kitchens Carpentry Electrics

And more

Home & Garden

• Fully certified and insured • Smoke draft tests as standard • Triple-filtered vacuum • No mess, no dust, no fuss • Insurance-recognised safety certificates

Tel 07711 458575 Or 01379 644770

www.angliachimneysweeps.co.uk

Pressed to go Established family-run ironing & dry cleaning business Local Delivery

Tel Karen: 01379 652767 or 07984512275 www.pressedtogo.co.uk

• Kitchen and Bathroom installations

• Installs UPVC windows & Doors

Phone: 01508

471765 Mobile: 07867 648066

FRANCIS CUPISS

– P R I N T E R S – Christmas Cards & Calendars from your photographs. Unique bespoke Letterpress Christmas Cards. The Wilderness, The Entry, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4NT Telephone: 01379 642045 E-mail: mail@franciscupiss.co.uk

Established 1830

Anglia Chimney Sweeps

AA Utilities Limited 01379 650671 07766770553 a.aldous@tiscali.co.uk

Got a water leak? Old lead piping need replacing? We carry out all work to the highest standards causing minimal impact to your driveway or garden using thrust boring methods

• Leaks Repaired • New services installed: adding water services to outbuildings, old services renewed, especially old galvanised piping or lead • Thrust boring • Burst mains & more! All work guaranteed and fully insured Working throughout Norfolk, Suﬀolk, Essex & Cambridgeshire

Home & Garden

Established 39 Years

Bedroom and occasional furniture in oak, ash, beech and pine. Bedsteads, wardrobes, chests, tables, chairs, sideboards, TV units, glazed units, desks, mirrors, bookcases and much much more!

OFFERS throughout December Dining Table & Chair Sets Delivery right up until Christmas Eve OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday 9am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 1pm

SAWMILLS ROAD, DISS

TEL: 01379 640070

BEAM ENDS Traditionally designed and timelessly beautiful kitchens From initial design to final installation and completion, our kitchens are specifically and individually created to your needs, from the finest materials and finished by hand too. We specialise in hardwood and granite worktops Call us now for further details and a guide to price.

Unit 3, Hall Farm, Station Road, Pulham Market, nr Diss Tel: 01379 608873 Mobile: 07939 554595 Email: allan@beamendskitchens.co.uk www.beamendskitchens.co.uk

for all your glazing We offer a simple low cost solution to your storage needs. Our new steel containers with thick plywood ﬂoors and high quality door seals ensure that your goods come out in the same condition they went in. COMPETITIVELY PRICED NEW CLEAN DRY UNITS WITH EASY ACCESS MINIMUM CONTRACT OF ONLY ONE WEEK BUSINESS AND DOMESTIC USE ENTRY 7 DAYS A WEEK 24 HOUR CCTV

needs • energy rated double glazed units at affordable prices • glass cutting service • window frames – upvc & wood • measure & fitting service available • open to the public • you can buy just one sealed unit

01953 888606 gsultd@btconnect.com www.glasssealedunitsnorfolk.co.uk

For More Information Call

01379 783236

The Rookery, Rookery, Wortham, Nr Diss, The Diss, Norfolk Norfolk IP22 IP221RB 1RB

7.30am to 5pm Mon to Thursday 7.30am to 4pm Fri Unit 21 Oakwood Industrial Estate, Harling Road, Snetterton, NR16 2JU

Do you need new tyres for winter?

ith forecasters predicting this winter to be longer and harsher than recent years with temperatures plummeting to colder than average levels and snow as early as November, make sure you stay safe with winter tyres. Changing to winter tyres can be especially beneficial to those living in rural areas as roads are likely to stay frozen for longer and are less likely to be within the gritting route. Winter tyres are specially designed to cope with the difficult driving conditions created by wet roads, snow and ice. When the temperature drops below 7oC traditional summer and all-weather tyres harden, making it increasingly difficult to manoeuvre and stop in an emergency.

Winter tyres contain increased levels of silica to maintain flexibility in colder temperatures. Winter tyres also have improved tread patterns, deeper tread grooves and hundreds

of small slits called sipes which bite into the road and enable localised movement of the tyre, whereas a larger single tread block like those commonly found on summer tyres

Else Heating & Plumbing Oil and Gas Installation * Breakdowns * 24 hr call out * Servicing * Powerflush Bathroom & Kitchen Fitting Fully Insured

would stay rigid, reducing grip. Last winter etyres Thetford helped more customers to stay safe with winter tyres than ever before. This year we have a wider range and increased stock levels to deal with the demand and keep motorists moving. To buy your winter tyres or for more information on choosing the best tyre for your vehicle please call your local etyres team on 01379 790079. Battery faults are a common cause of break-down, especially in cold weather, so etyres supplies these too. etyres Thetford cover a wide area from Wymondham in the north down to Bury in the south and from Diss and Harleston in the east over to Watton in the west, along with all the surrounding towns and villages.

Free mobile fitting in Thetford, Diss and the surrounding areas

01379 790 079

Contact Eugene Else

01379 688183 07787 854923

elseheatingandplumbing@gmail.com

Shopping METCALFE COPEMAN & PETTEFAR

SOLICITORS

Have a crafty

Convenient town centre locations Home visits available on request Free half hour and fixed-fee appointments available

For more information contact Nicky Stainton on 07747 620386 or nmstainton@gmail.com

www.mcp-law.co.uk 01945 464331 KING’S LYNN PETERBOROUGH

THETFORD WISBECH

KITCHEN SENSE of Harleston

62 London Road, Harleston, Norfolk IP20 9BZ

Fitted Kitchen Specialists

Tel: (01379) 852592 Fax: (01379) 854411

web site: www.kitchen-sense.co.uk email: staff@kitchen-sense.co.uk

The Billingford Horseshoes

Bed & Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

OPEN ALL DAY

On the A143 Harleston Road from Scole, only 2 miles from Diss

01379 740414

or anyone living near Harleston there is lots of encouragement this December as local shops offer a rich variety of workshops with a festive theme.

Paul Muncila of Tudor Bakehouse, who featured in the ITV programme Britain’s Best Bakery, will be running a Christmas baking workshop on 9 December and will demonstrate how to make traditional German stollen and lebkuchen, delicious spicy fruit loaf and shortbread biscuits. To book your place, call 01379 855376 or email bakery@tudorbakehouse.co.uk

Christmas in Harleston In our new austerity age people are increasingly drawn to the handmade and home-grown. More and more people are growing their own veg, making their own clothes, recycling and up-cycling.

Sparkle & Flair, in the Old Market Place, have a large stock of beads and are offering three workshops to make Christmas-themed earrings and tree decorations on Saturday 30th November and 7th and 14th December. To book your place, call 01379 855491 or email welcome@ sparkleandflair.co.uk Wilderness Stores has a shabbychic furniture painting workshop on 7th December and five Monday afternoon workshops where you can make stylish Christmas decorations, cards and wrapping paper. To book your place, call 01379 853067 or visit www.wildernessstores.com for more information.

As well as lots of inspiring Christmas workshops to take part in, Harleston has got a lot to offer this Christmas. Head to the Market Square on Saturday 6th December to see the Christmas lights get turned on. To co-incide with the Christmas lights switch-on, there will be a Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grotto, hot drinks and late night shopping.

And to get you in the festive mood there will also be carol singing around town every Saturday in December, with a special event on 21st December.

Everything to sew & knit Alterations, repairs & dry cleaning service Hat hire Lots of gift ideas for the keen crafter Gift vouchers available

01379 853 258

4 London Road, Harleston, Norfolk www.townliving.co.uk

Shopping

Unique collections of quality products and gifts for the home & garden Frith bronze animals now in stock

Now open in Beccles! 15 New Market, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9HD 01502 470900 Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve moved to Cornucopia at the Corn Exchange, 5 Exchange Street, Harleston

Open 10am-5pm Monday - Saturdays

Bullock Fair Close, Harleston (near Budgens car park) Open Wednesday - Saturday 10 - 4.30pm

(close at 1pm on Thursdays)

1-day furniture painting courses 7 December, 25 January ÂŁ65 inclusive 01379 853067

www.wildernessstores.com

Shopping Here at bestpricebeds we understand that things can be left to last minute when Christmas is coming. There is certainly enough to do with purchasing Christmas presents, wrapping, getting the food shopping sorted for any unexpected guests that turn up late or unannounced. So when it comes to a extra bed or mattress or possibly a folding bed to help sleep that unexpected guest at Christmas then its easy to turn to bestpricebeds. We can supply a single bed for £199 upwards and a Double from £299 upwards, alternatively we have a big stock of quality mattresses in stock with single size from £99 and Double from £149 all which are available with next day delivery.

Rhapsody 2 Drawer Divan Set,

Single from £229, Double from £299

We also stock a wide range of quality pocket spring mattresses from Myers, Hypnos, Highgrove and Slumberland.

Royal pocket folding guest bed From £165

Make bestpricebeds ltd your one stop this christmas for all your bedding needs. Just

£59

From

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Bedmaster Super Ortho Mattress

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£169

BestPriceBeds

22 Redenhall Road, Harleston, Norfolk IP20 9ER

Tel: 01379 855456 or 01379 855 461 www.bestpricebeds.co.uk

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

East Anglia Shores David Fairhall Bloomsbury Paperback 9781472903402 £12.99

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

BOOKS

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

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

Short Straw

Jennifer Anne Bell Larks Press Paperback 9781904006688 £10

Desert Snow Helen Lloyd

Take-On-Creative Paperback 9780957660601 £9.99

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

Masterpieces – Art & East Anglia

iew your region from

Edited by Ian Collins East Publishing Hardback £35 9780946009633

a different

perspective with this

(Paperback) £25

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

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

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

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

Shopping

Now shop online

intuchapelfield.co.uk

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

We’re open ‘til

*Except Sundays 11am - 5pm

Shopping Beautiful greetings cards Jewellery

China



Accessories



Handbags

Candles

Toiletries



Toys

Chocolate

2a Lambseth Street, Eye, IP23 7AG 01379 871112 www.tiltingsky.co.uk - Open Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm

Now open for • • • •

Fresh cakes and light lunches made daily Our own luxury handmade chocolates Freshly ground espresso coffees Fun Chocolate Workshops

Cocoa Mama Chocolaterie, 4 Broad Street, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7AF 01379 870688 • www.cocoamama.co.uk Open Monday – Saturday 9am-4pm

Shabby Chic, Vintage and retro section now open!

Next to the Railway Station Stowmarket

01449 770082

Open Tues to Sat 10am - 5.00pm 72

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shopping

www.tweethings.co.uk www.folksy.com/shops/tweethings

Avoid that last minute Christmas rush

ris tm as ...

A SUPERB RANGE OF QUALITY GEAR FOR SHOOTING AND OUTDOORS

Elephant Brooch

Felt Ball Necklace

Penguin Key Ring

Lovingly handcrafted jewellery and accessories

Le Chameau, Musto, Aigle, Chrysalis,Barbour Sporting Gun Sales, Cartridges, Accessories, Gifts and a wealth of advice from experienced staff.

www.trulockandharris.com Ore Trading Estate • Framlingham • Suffolk • IP13 9LL Tel. 01728 724776

Ch of e t tas

• Try our Sugar Baked Ham - 3 Bird Roast, Pâtés, Quiches • Wide selection of Cheeses and Raised pies • Traditional Christmas Puddings • Fredericks Gourmet Hampers, a great Christmas gift • There will be many more Christmas delights & ideas for Gifts • Preserves & Chutneys, Biscuits for Cheese ryone! as eve • Gift vouchers available ristm y Ch r r e M • Remember we also have some excellent wines for that t: 01379 652594 extra gift or for your e. information@fredricksﬁnefoods.co.uk Christmas table

www.fredricksﬁnefoods.co.uk Norfolk House Courtyard, St. Nicholas Street, Diss

Dentures Direct

GDC registered Dental Technician

to help you find solutions to any denture problem

From simple repairs to full replacement dentures Home collection service available Contact us for an understanding, unhurried service for any denture related problem

01379 676560 The junction hair studio

Nicola Clarke MCFHP, MAFHP

Chair available for rent full or part-time

Foot Health Practitioner

We would like to wish all our clients a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

• Nail Cutting • Corns & Calluses • Verrucae • Dry Skin

• Ingrowing Nails • Fungal Infections • Cracked Heels

Friendly and professional service

Home Visits

Stockists of:Paul Mitchell & ghd 103 Denmark Street, Diss IP22 4LF

Fully Insured, CRB Checked

01379 644906

01379 641 926 Mob: 07759 143 145 Tel:

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

We cover Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire

Call us FREE on 0800 917 4680

email: contactcare@saffronhousing.co.uk

01379 650564 Credit cards accepted

Order your hollywreaths

and flowers for Christmas now!

www.janniejanesflorist.co.uk jane@janniejanesflorist.co.uk

74a Shelfanger Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4EH

Beautiful flowers for all occasions 75

Health & Beauty

WITH PILATES Pilates can help: ~ Strengthen your back ~ Flatten your stomach ~ Improve your posture ~ Ease pain and stiffness ~ Aid relaxation NEW Classes at Diss Methodist Church & Harleston Leisure Centre

Viprs, Yoga Kettlebells Studio Cycling Circuit Training Power Pump Tai-Bo Pilates Body Blitz Circuit Fusion

Classes also held in Wilby,Walpole and Aldeburgh

www.pilateseastanglia.co.uk

07767 384983

ďŹ ona@pilateseastanglia.co.uk

Manorcourt Daycare Open 5 days a week Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm (Division of Healthcare Homes) We provide a stimulating service in an informal and welcoming setting. We specialise in in individual care from the age of 55+ who have dementia and mental health needs. Our care staff are trained in all aspects of relevant areas in dementia care and they promote respect, choice and independence for each individual. Situated in a village location in the heart of Norfolk. Meals on wheels now being delivered.

ALL ENQUIRIES to Pauline Neal Tel: 01953 889230 76

ÂŁ30

Ancient Oriental Astrology

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

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

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

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

5 Earth Star

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

4 Wood Star

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

3 Wood Star

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

2 Earth Star

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

1 Water Star

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

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

facebook.com/ninestarki

Health & Beauty

Netherton Dental Practice Practice Philosophy • We are renowned for being a ‘gentle practice’ which is why so many patients come to us for treatment. • A personal service ensures a close, professional and caring relationship being developed with a dedicated dental practitioner. • Our preventative team, including our two hygienists, ensure oral health is given top priority. • At Netherton Dental Practice we actively listen to you, placing great emphasis on providing a thorough investigation, followed up with a written report and treatment planning options, if required, for complex dentistry. • We believe children should be treated from an early age and therefore we provide advice to parents and children regarding plaque control and preventative dietary habits.

Our Services Complete dental care for all ages including advanced restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Professionally placed restorations – Implants Tooth Whitening – Telescopic Overdentures –Sports Mouthguards – Fissure Sealants Facial Aesthetics – Veneers – Diagnosis and Treatment of Periodontal Disease – Orthodontic Treatment – Clearaligners – Treatment of Temperomandibular Signs and Symptoms.

Dr Auriel Gibson BDS. MSc. FDSRCS (Eng), MGDS, FFGDP. Auriel focuses on Complex Restorative Treatment in addition to Dental Implants. Auriel teaches advanced dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons and is a post graduate examiner. As a past President of the British Society for General Dental Surgery, Auriel actively engages in post graduate study.

Dr Adam Stacey BDS (Lond), DPDS (Brist). Adam has 18 years’ General Dentistry experience, an Advanced Diploma and has qualified in Forensic Dentistry. Adam is currently working towards an MSc in Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry.

Netherton Dental Practice The Plain, Long Stratton Norfolk NR15 2XG

01508 532226 info@nethertondental.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

We are a small private dental practice providing treatment in quiet, calm and comfortable surroundings. This allows us to give you individual and personal attention, plenty of time and an excellent service. We would like to treat everyone as we would like to be treated ourselves. Our primary goals are to help you achieve and then maintain a preferred level of oral health. We hope and trust that your visit to the practice will be pleasant and relaxing. You and your family are welcome here. General and Family Dentistry Root Canal Treatment Implant Dentistry Partial /Full mouth Rehabilitation Crowns, Bridges and Dentures Tooth Whitening, Smile Makeover, Veneers Orthodontic Treatment

Call for more information on 01379 897176 or visit us at www.botesdaledentalpractice.co.uk

Health & Beauty

One quick check could make a big difference to your life At Lifescan, we provide scans to screen for the early signs of:

Heart disease

Lung cancer

Colon cancer

We aim to detect the signs of these and other serious illnesses before any symptoms appear. We use highly advanced “open” CT scanners and each scan only takes a few minutes. As part of Spire Healthcare, we are now able to offer you a Lifescan health check* at Spire Norwich Hospital – a leading local private hospital. So get a Lifescan health check now - we want to help keep you healthy for longer

Over the last 10 years, Lifescan has checked over 65,000 people. To find out more or to book an appointment at Spire Norwich Hospital call us quoting reference NOR-VIL on

0845 423 3001 or online at www.lifescanuk.org

Old Watton Road, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7TD *Before any booking can be confirmed we will need to ensure you are eligible for any aspect of the appointment against our clinical referral criteria. There are benefits and risks associated with the use of CT scans for medical investigations. Lifescan provides full information to all patients about CT scans and X-ray exposure. Lifescan is regulated under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 and is registered as a provider of diagnostic and screening services with the Care Quality Commission.

Wymondham Martial Arts and Wellbeing Centre Wymondham Martial Arts And Wellbeing Cent on Oaktree Industrial Estate, is a Centre, co converted industrial unit that hosts a wide variety of activities and services. Th Centre is a registered, not-forThe pr profit charity that relies on hall hire fe to cover costs and overheads. fees The centre was founded by Chris and Karen Claydon in January 2011 after Wymondham Judo Club out outgrew its previous venue. With the help of some very generous volunteers, the venue was quickly turned into an impressive ‘dojo’ (physical training facility) which boasts the largest permanent matted area in East Anglia! Now, as well as Judo, the WMAAWC also offers other martial arts classes, including karate, battojutso, tai chi, aikido, kung fu and more. All classes are held by experienced instructors, manyy of whom have competed at a high level. le

and Nikki Stroud. There are also burlesque and belly dancing classes for adults as well as several classes for children including baby music, pre-school dance, preschool ballet, street dance and theatre dance. An array of alternative therapies are also available including Reiki and psychic development. lopment. What’s more, there is now a new fully licensed and registered tattoo studio, Lizard Ink Tattoos, which has been very popular since opening in August. Resident tattooist Duane Smith also runs fitness classes at the centre.

In good

HEALTH

A selection selec of fitness classes are also available, av including buggy boot camp, camp boxercise, boot camp fitness, spinning, spinning aerobics, pole-fit and yoga. Personal Pe training is also available from experienced trainers Duane Smith, Martin Brookman, Claire Gurney

He says, “This really is a fantastic place with so much going on. There is something for everyone. Chris and Karen are extremely welcoming and supportive to instructors and students alike. The instructo instructors are all great people and it’s a pleasure to be involved with the WMAAWC”. For more information, call Karen on 01953 604 385 or visit www.wymondhammartialarts.wordpress.com

Running makes you fat Now the title may seem sensationalised but it holds a lot of truth. I have witnessed it happen to countless gym trainers in my 11 years of experience.

My observations have showed me that the people who just go on cardio vascular equipment like the treadmills in a bid to lose weight are relatively unsuccessful. People believe that to lose weight or manage weight you have to do cardio. If only these people would believe that lifting weights would give them the body they are after with little traditional cardio required. I’m not here to suggest you quit running if it is your sport, but if you are only doing it for weight loss then I would suggest a different approach.

With the right food and supplements, weight training is all you need. Weight training only is also just as beneficial to heart health as endurance work as well as being much less time consuming! With thanks to Roscoe Hipperson at The Fit Club Wymondham. www.fitclubwymondham.co.uk

Health & Beauty

the best careers in care Hales Group offers you:

l EXCELLENT RATES OF PAY l PAID HOLIDAYS l PAID TRAVEL l FULL/PART-TIME/FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS l FULL INDUCTION TRAINING l NVQ QUALIFICATIONS l DISCOUNTED PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE l CAREER DEVELOPMENT & SUPPORT

You may be looking for a challenging and rewarding career with a chance to make a real difference to someone’s life. Or you may be looking for the training, support and excellent beneﬁts you need to turn your care experience into a career with real prospects. Either way, contact us TODAY:

Tel: 0800 0149 103 or email: work@halesgroup.co.uk Working within the local community you will need a full driving licence and your own transport. All positions are subject to a CRB clearance

www.halescare.co.uk

A Unique Care Home in a Unique Setting Offering Long Term Residence, Convalescence and Respite Care for Elderly Residents with Dementia. The Beeches is an elegant country house set in two acres of wooded and meadow style gardens which provides peaceful surroundings and yet is close to all local amenities. The majority of our bedrooms are on the ground ﬂoor and have the beneﬁt of en-suite facilities.

Please call or email for further details or to request a brochure.

“We are here to help” West Harling Road, East Harling NR16 2NP Tel: 01953 717584 Email: thebeecheseastharling@btconnect.com Website: www.beechesresidential.co.uk

Health & Beauty

Nestled in the heart of Diss behind the facade of an ordinary house lies an oasis of calm and healing. Overlooking parish fields, Diss Osteopathy and Natural Health Clinic could well be in the countryside. But really, it is close to all the amenities of Diss with ample parking offered by its location near to the Shelfanger Road car parks. Once inside, you will be greeted by one of our team of friendly and experienced therapists and our clinic manager Julie will be on hand to assist you.

Our light and airy reception offers a comfortable place to wait with views over the garden and the parish fields beyond. You can read a magazine or help yourself to a drink while you wait. Children are welcome and there is always a supply of magazines for them to read, paper and pens for drawing and some toys for the younger ones. So, if you have pain or discomfort and you’re not sure if we can help you, please do call us. One of our team will offer advice as to the best approach for your problem and you

can ask as many questions as you need to. What we offer: Osteopathy, cranial osteopathy, sports massage, holistic massage, counselling, aromatherapy, reflexology, diet and nutritional advice, homeopathy, and now we are also lucky to have digital infrared thermal imaging for breast and body scanning.

36 Shelfanger Road, Diss, IP22 4EH

www.dnhc.co.uk 01379 644407

SAY GOODBYE TO WRINKLES THIS WINTER Specialist in muscle-relaxing injections, dermal ﬁllers & TCA Medical peels Safe aseptic injection technique by an Advanced Nurse Practitioner BSc (Hons), RGN Flexible appointments & realistic prices If you’d like to enhance your beauty quickly, without surgery & in a very natural way, call Catherine TODAY for a free consultation

Special winter offers:

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Willow Lodge, The Common, Mellis, IP23 8EF

Dermal peels from £45 Muscle relaxing injections from £185 Fillers from £200

T: 01379 783126 or 07905895070 E: catherine.brooks@rejuvenescence.co.uk

Jobs, Money & Business

Make the most of your retirement

with equity release

Michael Boon is your local Equity Release Council member for professional independent advice.

Equity release schemes allow you to release tax-free cash from your home to boost your finances in later life

If you are interested in releasing a tax-free lump sum from your home then Michael will be delighted to guide you through the different types of equity release schemes available to find the best plan for your needs.

To find out more call Michael on 01508 483983 or visit www.businessmattersifa.co.uk

• Many clients use this money to repay an existing mortgage, make home improvements, buy a new car and even go on a holiday of a life time, while others may wish to offer financial assistance to their children or to improve their own quality of life in retirement. • Business Matters is qualified and registered through the Financial Conduct Authority to offer a valuable equity release service for homeowners aged 55 or over. • Business Matters only recommend approved schemes from The Equity Release Council.

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This is a lifetime mortgage, to understand the features and risks ask for a personalised illustration. Business Matters is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 301141.

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Local specialists We offer advice in on:all types of medical injury claim • Wills & Trusts including: Inheritance tax diagnosis • Missed Probate and administration Birth injury/cerebral palsy of estates • Powers of attorney • Negligent surgery Fatal accidents/inquests Contact Robert Chalmers on 01603 703231 Julie Crossley

• • • •

julie.crossley@ashtonkcj.co.uk

then we advise

here to help

www.ashtonkcj.co.uk

01842 768763

www.ashtonkcj.co.uk

Ashton KCJ is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Recognised Body number 45826).

Smart Money Secrets

Plan ahead this Christmas and avoid a New Year financial hangover

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Leaving money to charit y in your Will

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

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

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

K J ACCOUNTANCY A friendly and efficient service for the self-employed & small to medium business 

EACH gift in every Will makes a difference

Contact Mark Loades on 01953 666771

Registered Charity No. 1069284

Bookkeeping ~ Accounts ~ VAT Payroll ~ CIS ~ Tax Returns Tel: 01379 890502/01284 763687 Mob: 07788 408916/07718 257517

Jobs, Money & Business Self Assessment always a headache? Don’t worry, give it to us and get on with running your business.

Newman & Co Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors have been serving local businesses and individuals in East Anglia for over 20 years. We offer a range of services to suit our clients’ individual needs that include: * Tax returns advice and planning * Preparation of annual accounts * Bookkeeping services and management accounts preparation * Business start-up advice * Payroll services including real-time processing

We specifically support the smaller business in all accountancy and tax matters. For a free, no obligation initial meeting call us today

Contact Graham Cormack

T: 01953 630 004 E: grahamcormack@taxassist.co.uk Connaught Plain,Attleborough, NR17 2EJ www.taxassist.co.uk/attleborough

* VAT returns and advice We provide an eﬃcient, friendly and competent service through our professionally qualified staff and believe that there is a real value in developing long-standing professional relationships with our clients.

Please contact us to arrange a free initial consultation.

White Accounts

Do you need help with your accounts?

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Services include bookkeeping, VAT returns,

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Call Jan on 01379 669213 or 07780666387 www.whiteaccounts.co.uk “We are dedicated to lightening the load for our clients”

Would you like to earn an extra income? Recommend a teacher to us and you will both receive a £75.00 one4all gift card, once the teacher has worked for 5 days

We are a charity based in Diss, looking for people with spare rooms to let for potential lodgers. We match you with someone needing accommodation – at no cost to you!

If you are interested please call Karen on

01379 646952

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

Jobs, Money & Business

Putting opportunities within your reach...

Our regional network of branches and online jobsearch facilities give you 24/7 access to a

greater choice of jobs.

Diss Branch 01379 642276 Thetford Branch 01842 761398 Lowestoft Branch 01502 582000

www.halesgroup.co.uk

PERMANENT & TEMPORARY ● ADMINISTRATION ● CUSTOMER SERVICE ● DRIVING ● ENGINEERING EXECUTIVE SEARCH ● FINANCE ● HUMAN RESOURCES ● I.T. SOLUTIONS ● INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE ● MANAGEMENT ● SALES ● SECRETARIAL ● SUPPLY CHAIN ● TECHNICAL

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Interested? Email your CV to Lily TODAY! editor@village-people.info www.village-people.info

Lindsa y Flaxmer m o t o r Lindsay Flaxmer Ltd is a well established garage now operating in their 10th year! Lindsay has over 35 years of experience within the motor trade and has an exceptional team of technicians who have been with him since he started Lindsay Flaxmer Motor Management. With all state of the art diagnostic equipment ranging from BOSCH KTS, Snap-on, VAGCOM and many more and constant training they can look after almost every modern day vehicle. Catering for vehicles such as a 1913 Velux Miniatures, heavy duty landrovers, performance vehicles, commercial and brand new there really is nothing they can’t look after! With state of the art ATL MOT testing bay they can MOT both CLASS 4 and CLASS 7 vehicles. They have gained an excellent reputation locally for their work and friendly attitude and benefit from a very high percentage of repeat customers.

m a n a g e m e n t • Very competitive prices on all makes and sizes of tyre, car or commercial • High level of servicing on all car and commercial vehicles • Very competitive prices on batteries and exhausts • Quality high spec brakes fitted & pressure bleeding • 4 wheel alignment • Air conditioning servicing • Class 4 & 7 MOT’s • State of the art diagnostics • DPF deletion • ECU remapping • Cambelts fitted at very competitive prices • All types of Clutches and Flywheels fitted • Full range quality Engine Oils stocked • Local vehicle collection and drop-offs • Loan cars (subject to availability) • Recovery • Very competitive Labour rate • Experienced, Friendly & fully trained technicians • Modern workshop facilities and comfortable reception waiting area • No job is too big or too small, let us look after your car

Wedding cake of your dreams Prices start from £85

Looking for a reliable caravan and motorhome service engineer? We can create your perfect bespoke wedding cake, custom-made to suit your personal requirements and to match the theme of your special day. Get in touch with us to find out more details. F R E E C O N S U LTAT I O N F O R A L L W E D D I N G C A K E S W E D D I N G FAV O U R C O O K I E S | W E D D I N G C U P C A K E S

• Complete on site breakdown service available 7 days a week • Indoor caravan storage facility • Fully insured, friendly, no fuss services and repairs at your home • Motor Movers and other accessories fitted

CAR REVIEWS Vauxhall Mokka Tech Line 1.6 16v

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

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

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

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

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

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

Local Directory:

Getting Your Business Noticed Accountant / Book-keeping TaxAssist KJ Accountancy White Accounts Newman & Co Animal & Veterinary Services Swallow Aquatics Hill Cottage Cattery Norfolk Dog Training Uplands Way Vets Ltd Smylee Pets Med & Vet Ltd Appliance Repairs

88 87 88 88 95 15 28 28 29 28

Paul Lovett Domestic Appliance Repairs 60

Architect Andrew P R Love Geoffrey Reeve Arts, Crafts and Antiques Susan’s Work-Basket Town Living Diss Crochet Bee Bathrooms AHM Installations Beds

48 60 72 65 26 48

Diss Bed Centre & Furniture Warehouse 62

Sound Sleep Ltd Best Price Beds Building / Roofing Glenn Wilson Ltd

4 67 61

R. Oldfield General Builder & Carpenter 60

Norfolk Steel Buildings 38 Car / Caravan Repairs & Garages Anglian Caravan Engineering Services 90 T J Oldfield Mobile Mechanic 63 Lindsay Flaxmer 90 Care Homes, Personal Assistance & Mobility The Beeches 82 Saffron Housing Contact Care 75 Manor Court Daycare 76 Mobility Superstore Ltd 86 Carpets, Flooring & Rugs Eye Flooring 47 John Doe of Diss 96 Chimney Sweeps Anglia Chimney Sweeps 61 Computer, Internet, Web & Design Services Philippa Green Web Design 11 Bailiwick IT 61 Website Design 4 Suffolk 11

Curtains, Blinds,Awnings & Shutters Norwich Sunblinds 56 Cooks Blinds 48 Days Out Chenery Live 19 Epic TV 18 Eastons Holidays 24 Redwings Horse Sanctuary 15 Hippodrome Circus 25 Dentists & Dentures Botesdale Dental Practice 2 /79 Marlborough Dental Practice 75 Netherton Dental Practice 78 Financial Services EACH 87 Business Matters 84 Florist Jannie Jane’s Florist 75 Park Flowers 26 Food Veggie Berry Bakery 90 Cocoa Mama Chocolaterie 72 Just Truffles 65 Fredericks Fine Foods 74 Fuel Merchants Larkins Fuel Merchants 50 CPL Distribution 54 Rix Petroleum 50 Funeral Services Susan Whymark 31 East of England Co-op 86 Furniture Diss Bed Centre & Furniture Warehouse 62 John Doe of Diss 96 Mulityork 46 Garden Services, Landscaping & Supplies The Garden Enclosure 33 Waveney Tree Specialists 35 Noble Paving East Anglia Ltd 34 Land Army Designs 32 P.D. Garden Services 32 Nigel Payne Fruit Tree Pruning 32 Mike Smith Gardenworks 32 Cabinville Garden Cabins 39 Lake and Pond Aquatics 36 Hempnall Lawnmower Centre 36 Eclipse Home & Garden Services 32 Land Sculpture Ltd 36 The Green Man 34 R & A Driveways 34

Thetford Garden Centre A.Waterfield & Sons

40 38 Joe Bennett Pressure Washer Services 39 Smart Garden Offices 37 North Suffolk Trees & Gardens 34 Sweet Briar Garden Centre 8 Gates, Railings & Doors Cooks Blinds 48 Hairdressers The Junction Hair Studio 75 Handyman DJA Handyman Services 60 Health, Beauty and Fitness Spire Norwich Hospital 80 Dr Gaye White Foot Health 75 Live Everyday - Diet Coach 19 MG Fitness 76 Nicola Clarke Foot Health 75 The Hearing Care Centre 13 Rejuvenescence 83 Pilates East Anglia 76 Diss Osteopathy & Natural Health Clinic 83 Ironing Services Pressed-to-Go 61 Jobs, Recruitment & Training Key Education Services 88 Maid 2 Clean 88 Hales Group 82 / 89 Solo Housing 88 Village People Sales Vacancy 89 Kitchens Kitchen Sense of Harleston 64 Beam Ends 62 Opticians Cecil Amey 66/76 Painting and Decorating Chris Rosling 60 Pest Control Deer Stalking in England Ltd 32 Pest Alert 39 Photography Orton-Reynolds Photography 31 Canvas Framed Prints 9 Plumbing, Heating, Tank, Drainage & Boiler Services Pat the Plumber 60 AA Utilities Limited 61 Else Heating & Plumbing 63 P & D Tank Services 39 Metrorod 9 Husky Heat Pumps 44 PD Plumbing and Heating 44

Village People is a trading name of Village People Magazines Ltd. Village People accepts no liability for loss, damage, or diﬃculties resulting from contracts made through the magazine, nor from errors, omissions or claims made by advertisers. Publication of any entry does not imply a recommendation. Readers must make their own enquiries to establish the credentials of each entry.

Village People

Printers Francis Cupiss Ltd The Primrose Press Town & Country Printers Property Ashton & Co Lettings Removals & House Clearance John Ryder Van and a Man Restaurants, Pubs & Hotels The Park Hotel Sherbourne House Hotel Il Divo Italian Job The Queen’s Head, Eye The Billingford Horseshoes Turkuaz Riding Eye Equestrian Centre Schools, Colleges & Nurseries New Eccles Hall School Thetford Grammar School Tinkerbells Day Nursery Hethersett Old Hall School Security Malthouse Security Ltd Shopping Chapelfield Tilting Sky Jack Strings Adullam’s Cave Jarrold Honeysuckle Days

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

CullenServesSkink 6

INGREDIENTS

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

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

NOW OPE

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EM R Open Mon–Sat 9am–5pm, Thurs 9am–9pm, Sun 10am–4pm Howard House, 46–50 Sawmills Road,Diss, IP22 4DA Tel: 01379 644081 www.johndoediss.co.uk