Village People Norfolk / Suffolk border edition - April & May 19 (Late Spring) by Village People Magazines Ltd

APRIL / MAY 2019

Norfolk/Suffolk border edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

NEEDHAM & BROCKDISH Heritage Festival

NATIONAL HANDMADE DAY IN APRIL We meet the

ord Mayor Lord of Norwich

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A wonderful selection of local group walks Ladies who Lunch visit Attleborough The Beatles ‘Let it Be’ visits Norwich

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Contents APRIL / MAY 2019

Out & About

44 On your plot - sunshine &

8 Good news from our region 13 Lace making - a beautiful

47 Recipe for stilton & walnut

ancient craft

showers scones

49 Cycling - byways to

18 Needham & Brockdish

Brockdish

Heritage Festival

20 We talk to the Lord Mayor of Norwich

51 Memories of Botesdale 55 What’s in season - produce for April & May

22 Walking for health, a selection of local group walks

25 Village notice board

56 Recycling and how we can all do more

59 Design your own wacky

caravan at Latitude Festival

60 Wildlife - exploring mixed habitats

63 ‘Let it be’ - a celebration of the Beatles at Theatre Royal Norwich

65 “Hoss” Tales - stories from our region with Neil Lanham

67 The history of St Peter’s

28 Delicious recipe for courgette, asparagus, pea and basil frittata

30 Village life - Gospel from The Saints

33 Poetry corner - William Henry Sutton

Home & Garden 35 Nature up close at Falcon Meadow

Brewery

Shopping, Health & Beauty 69 WIN a £100 M&S voucher 70 National Handmade Day - ethical art and fashion in East Anglia

73 MENTA - be your own boss

74 The eccentric old couple history in South Lopham

76 Bungay Bitesize 77 Fostering - can you help a child fulfil their true potential?

79 Health - foods which can affect calcium intake

81 Skincare - when nature needs a helping hand

83 New Boho fashion 85 Seasonal recipe for cream of asparagus soup

Jobs, Money & Business 87 Smart money secrets finding a cheap personal loan

89 Wymondham Heritage Museum

91 Regional reads - what we are loving this issue

92 Find a local business in our directory

94 Exercise your brain cells with our crossword

36 Ladies who lunch visit Peter Beales Roses in Attleborough

39 Treading the boards with Open Space

41 Top interior tips with Natalie Canning

43 The Garden Enclosure Jottings

59 Are you looking for a particular product or service? Check out our Local Business Directory on pages 92 & 93 5

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Welcome W

Who o fancies winning a £100 M&S vouccher to spend on anything you want? All you have to do is read this ma agazine and find a mini version of our ne ew ‘pet’ Bella the Beagle, then visit w www.village-people.info and follow the links t the competition page. Simples! to

Meet our ne w p

et Bell The weather w is warming up, so get some dates a in you ur diary with the local walks, coach trips and art exhibitions in our region, and much much more. As usual we have two pages packed full of local village events, but you need to check our website every week or two as we add new events daily. There are hundreds of additional local events online, so don’t miss anything.

WIN £100 M&S VOUCHER

ADVERTISE WITH US!

Our new FREE ADVERT FEEDBACK SERVICE is proving popular with local businesses. If you run a local business, or you know someone who does, let them know about it. It’s for anyone who is thinking of using our magazine to generate significant new business from the 60,000 village homes we Royal Mail deliver to. You can tap into our local experience and understand what makes a successful advert and how to get the best results for your advertising buck. Best of all it’s FREE and it brings results.

Reliably delivered by Royal Mail, reaching 60,000 homes every two months. Four editions of Village People provide unrivalled coverage of South Norfolk, reaching more homes than ANY other local magazine. For more information, call our friendly team on 01284 788623 or send an email to editor@village-people.info

Our new magazine is packed full of local stories as usual, with more recipes due to your feedback, and there is something here for everyone, from history to wildlife and fashion to food reviews. If you have a local story to share please get in touch with me on my email at the bottom of the page. So sit down with a cuppa and enjoy your new edition. Find Bella the Beagle and you could be spending a £100 M&S voucher soon. Keep this copy in a safe place until we’re back at the end of May. Happy Easter everyone!

Lily

Lily Goulder editor@village-people.info 01284 788623

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

APRIL / MAY 2019

South Norfolk edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

NEEDHAM & BROCKDISH Heritage Festival

NATIONAL HANDMADE DAY IN APRIL

NEXT DEADLINE

APRIL / MAY 2019

Bungay & Harleston edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

NEEDHAM & BROCKDISH Heritage Festival NATIONAL HANDMADE DAY IN APRIL

We meet the

Lord ord Mayor of Norwich

June / July (Early Summer issue) 1st May

APRIL / MAY 2019

South Norwich edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

WE MEET THE Lord Mayor of Norwich

National Handmade Day in April

NEEDHAM & BROCKDISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL

APRIL / MAY 2019

WIN

M&S £100 HER VOUC

WIN

M&S £100 HER VOUC

NATIONAL HANDMADE DAY IN APRIL We meet the

Lord ord Mayor of Norwich

We meet the Lord Mayor of Norwich M&S £100 HER VOUC

Norfolk/Suffolk border edition

COMMUNITY / LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR

NEEDHAM & BROCKDISH Heritage Festival

WIN

M&S £100 HER VOUC

WINNER of ﬁve National Publishing Awards 7

Good News from our region VIKINGS INVADE NORWICH! The Vikings are back...and they will be at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery until 8 September in a major exhibition – called Viking: Rediscover the Legend – showing some of the most significant Anglo-Saxon and Viking treasures ever discovered in Britain. It’s over 1,000 years since the Great Viking Army arrived in East Anglia in 865, and the exhibition features star objects from the British Museum and Yorkshire Museum that give a fresh perspective on how the Vikings shaped many aspects of life in Britain. The exhibition will include the Anglo-Saxon York Helmet, the most outstanding example of its type to survive, as well as the most significant Viking treasure ever found in the UK – the Vale of York, Cuerdale and Bedale Viking Hoards. These finds will be shown alongside highlights from Norwich Castle’s own extensive collections, including many items on display for the first time, helping to tell the distinctive regional story of the Viking presence in East Anglia.

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CARE HOME IS ‘OUTSTANDING’ Wymondham care home, Windmill House, has achieved ‘Outstanding’ status following a recent inspection by England’s health and social care regulator, the Care Quality Commission. The 57-bedroomed residential care home which cares for older people, including those living with dementia, now falls within the top 2% of care homes in England with this exceptional rating, and is one of just three homes in Norfolk to receive this level of accreditation. Windmill House’s long-standing Home Manager, Julie Aldred, said: “We are so very proud to achieve the highest possible CQC rating. Our dedicated and passionate team consistently concentrates on providing the best possible residential care service, focusing our attention on our residents’ individual needs and wishes within a safe, inspiring and comfortable living environment. Residents feel part of a community at Windmill House with various activities, entertainment and outings, as well as friendship and support available for all.”

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Good News

BURNING DESIRE FOR CLEANER AIR

NEW-U MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Norfolk Woodburners, one the largest suppliers and installers of wood stoves and log burners in East Anglia, has recently launched a woodburner scrappage scheme to help clean up the environment in Norfolk. With the government looking to clean up the woodburner industry, and reports from the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) showing that new stoves produce far fewer emissions than old stoves or open fires, Norfolk Woodburners is taking the lead in offering a scrappage scheme to incentivise customers to change their old polluting woodburners and open fire grates. The company’s Managing Director, Kerry Walpole, said: “Super-efficient new Eco design ready woodburners, from companies such as The Hunter Stoves Group and Termatech, produce far fewer emissions and are substantially better for the environment than old woodburners or open fires. So we are taking the lead in the marketplace and offering a scrappage scheme that we hope will help to clean up the air in Norfolk.” For more information visit www. norfolkwoodburners.co.uk/scrappage-scheme or call 01508 498393.

If you want to support young people, declutter your wardrobe, protect the planet and feel good in a new outfit — all without spending a penny, then New-U swap shop could be the place for you. Based in Castle Mall, in Norwich, it’s the first cashless shop in the UK to offer work placements to 18-30 year olds in a flexible and supportive environment, while also giving everyone the chance to revamp their wardrobe for free. Sue Buffin, director of New-U Enterprises, said: “We pride ourselves on listening to what each young person on work placement needs to give them the best chance of increasing self belief and learning new skills. “The average UK household creates so much waste from clothing, nearly a third (worth over £1,000 per household, £30 billion in total) have not been worn in the last year. If 50% of clothing stayed in active use for nine months longer it would save an average of 8% carbon, 10% water and 4% waste per tonne of clothing. For more go to: new-ultd.co.uk or @thenorwichswapshop

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Good News

FOOD BANK CHANGES MORE LIVES

FURRY FUN FOR ALL! Dogs Trust Snetterton will be holding its annual Fun Day on Sunday 12 May and the ‘wooftastic’ day promises to be fun for two legs and four. There will be a huge range of activities such as Dog Shows, games, raffles, tombola, ‘Doggy Dash’ and ‘Temptation Alley’, trade stands, along with fabulous food and drink. Dogs Trust Snetterton’s Supporter Relations Officer, Paige Langton, said: “This year’s Fun Day is bursting with things to do and see! It’s a great family day out with something for everybody, and I’m so excited to meet our wonderful supporters (and dogs!). “Every penny raised will go towards helping the homeless hounds at Dogs Trust Snetterton, so we can continue all that we do for the dogs in our care until they find their forever homes.” The Fun Day is on from 11.30am - 4pm and will be held at the rehoming centre; North Farm Kennels, North Farm Road, Snetterton, NR16 2LD. Entry is £5 per car (with £1 per car being donated to the 1986 Wymondham Air Cadets for their help with parking).

The Waveney food bank, part of The Trussell Trust’s UK-wide network of food banks, continues to do a fantastic job helping those in crisis. Over the past year the organisation has brought food and support to more people than ever before. Peter Johnson, acting chairman of the organisation, said: “Demand for our services continues to grow, and although we do receive some funding we are very dependent on donations and ‘friends’ for support. We have no paid staff, but 150 wonderful and dedicated volunteers…and just one van! “Last year we helped 3,359 individuals compared with 2,302 last year, and provided eight local schools with breakfast supplies and personal hygiene products. “Community meals were prepared in two centres, one weekly, and a second monthly, and we collected and distributed 34,771kg of donated food. Last Christmas we collected and delivered food hampers to 300 families. To meet this additional demand we held a three day collection event at Tesco, Diss and Tesco Beccles, supported by Diss and District Rotary.”

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Good News

CARPENTER SWAPS BENCH FOR BIKE Stephen Ford, a 47-year-old carpenter from Flordon, will be attempting a mammoth challenge this September; a 9-day, 980-mile cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats, in aid of Cancer Research UK. Stephen said: “I’m a keen cyclist and I have decided to undertake this challenge because cancer touches everyone, and in the last 10 years I’ve been affected by it many times. It has taken people I love, friends and family. People have died too soon and too young, and others still living with cancer find life painful day

in, day out. “Cancer Research UK is a truly great charity. With an average of 118 miles a day this will be a huge challenge, but not as hard as the fight against cancer. I’m asking local businesses and individuals to support my sponsorship and help raise a minimum of £2,200. If you can help me, and cancer sufferers around world, please go to my Virgin Money page (uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ stephenford15) and Just Giving page (www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/stephen-ford8?). Thank you.”

NORFOLK BLOOD BIKES REACHES MILESTONE Norfolk Blood Bikes has hit a new milestone after responding to its 6,000th call out. The run was made to East Anglian Air Ambulance at its Norwich Airport base, as part of the nightly RePHILL trial re-stock of blood products. Norfolk Blood Bikes is a local registered charity run solely by volunteers. It transports blood,

plasma, platelets, samples, vaccines, breast milk and any other life-saving medical items to NHS hospitals in Norfolk, 24 hours a day. The service is provided completely free of charge, allowing the NHS to divert valuable funds where they are needed most. To date, Norfolk Blood Bikes has saved the NHS over £400,000.

For more information about the charity and how you can help please go to www.norfolkbloodbikes.org.uk. Norfolk Blood Bikes needs local runners to support the charity at Run Norwich this summer, get in touch for further information on the charity’s fundraising package.

IF YOU HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS TO SHARE EMAIL US AT editor@village-people.info

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Lace Making

LACE MAKING

A beautiful ancient craft

herished for its delicate workmanship and airy patterns, lace has been worn as an adornment since the 15th Century, especially as a decorative element for bridal fashion. We know that bobbin lace was first developed in Italy and Flanders around that time, but it’s not known if one region was the first to develop the technique. Before the late 15th Century there was no true lace being created, although there is some speculation it may have been made by the ancient Romans. When the technique for bobbin lace was created, it was something very new; rather than remove sections from a solid cloth, the open designs were created in thread over a pattern, and there was no backing fabric. Bobbin lace is created by twisting a series of bobbins with thread over a network of pins placed on a pattern on a lace pillow. Once it’s finished, the pins

are removed, and the beautiful lace is released from the pillow. It wasn’t until the 19th Century that machines became widely used to make lace. This ancient craft is still practised by groups of lace makers throughout the country, including several in this region. Thorpe Lace makers started 10 years ago, meeting on Mondays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the St Andrews Centre, Thunder Lane. We are a self-help group and although we do not teach lace we share skills and experience. We are looking for new members to join our friendly group, so if you want to get involved contact Val Broad on 01508 470362 or Jane Newick on 01603 300914 for further information.

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Bold burglars are checking out your home online BEFORE STRIKING WHILE YOU ARE INSIDE

Homeowners are being urged to go online and check out what their property looks like – to stay ahead of burglars. Rapid technological advances mean that pictures of our homes are available to anyone browsing through the internet. To stay safe we need to see what our home and surrounding land looks like and identify any possible security breaches. One option is to install CCTV cameras to monitor and deter intruders – and security lights to shine on them as they approach under darkness.

Malthouse Security at Rickinghall, near Diss. “We can install top quality cameras that will deter them and, if the worst does happen, we can record the evidence – catching them in the act as sensorcontrolled lights come on.”

Recent research revealed that criminals are becoming bolder and they will strike at your home even when you are inside. The best approach is to keep them out in the first place. “The best strategy is to keep them out of your family home. We can find the weaker areas of your property that are vulnerable and may attract a burglar trying to get in,” said a spokesman for

Call Malthouse Security Ltd today on 01379 890 606, email sales@malthouse-security.co.uk or visit the website www.malthouse-security.co.uk for more details.

The Bible Today Exhibition The Park

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A display featuring the history and message of the Bible, described at the coronation as "the most valuable thing that this world affords", visiting the following venues, each for one day only, during the week May 13th - 17th, God willing, with free admission : Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Fordham (Cambridgeshire) Victoria Hall Elmswell Blackbourne Community Centre Long Melford Village Hall Great Waldingfield Village Hall Rickinghall Village Hall 10:00am - 8.00pm each day Arranged by the Christadelphians

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for its many traditional wood carving shops and the highest waterfalls in Germany. Day 7: After breakfast we begin our journey to our overnight hotel. Day 8: After breakfast, we continue our journey to Norfolk, where our door-to-door service will take you home.

Day 5: A day to enjoy your surroundings. Day 6: Today we will visit the spa town on the north shore of Lake Titisee, one of Germany’s prettiest lakes, and join ‘The Titus’ (built as a replica of a Roman galley) for a cruise on the lake. We then explore the town of Titisee-Neustadt before continuing to Triberg, known

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Builder beats vicious circle of depression and comfort eating to lose 17 stone

Ralph Lawless took to comfort eating after a relationship breakdown John at 21 stone followed by a back injury, which prevented him working. 5ft 10in Ralph weighed in at 29 stone 7lbs, but shed 17 stone and became a fit and healthy 12 stone 7lb fitness instructor. ‘‘I was caught in a vicious circle of depression, comfort eating and drinking, gaining weight and becoming more depressed. Miserable and unbearably lonely, I felt nobody would ever want me,’’ said the 47-year-old. Ralph changed his lifestyle when he received marketing material for oversized clothes for men. With one-to-one support Ralph’s confidence and energy levels soared as he lost weight. ‘‘I wanted a diet that was easy to stick to, healthy and wouldn’t need too much planning,’’ he said.

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We all need help sometimes, I could never have lost my 7 stone 11 years ago without one-to-one support from someone who had also lost weight.

Exercise will help your weight loss too. Walking, cycling and swimming are all great gentle ways to get started, with half an hour exercise burning off extra calories to speed your dieting.

Award winning diet coach John Howard lost 7 stone after 5 months, 11 years ago

With the right approach, and the right one-to-one support from someone who understands the journey, it really is possible to lose a stone a month and be happy with your weight again, just like Ralph. Award winning diet coach John Howard and his fiancée Katie, a nurse, support dieters on a one-to-one basis at Eye and Stowhealth centre in Stowmarket to lose about a stone a month and no longer be unhappy with their weight. They can be contacted on 07872 314653, or by email at john@live-everyday.co.uk

York Helmet. Photography by Anthony Chappel-Ross. Image courtesy of York Museums Trust (Yorkshire Museum)

A builder who weighed as much as a grizzly bear at almost 30 stone has lost 17 stone with the Cambridge Weight Plan.

Festival

A historical celebration FOR NEEDHAM & BROCKDISH

unning until April 2019, the first ever Needham & Brockdish Heritage Festival features several local history talks, two separate exhibitions and the launch of a new website. The festival is the culmination of a year of research by a group of local volunteers who, thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, have uncovered stories of the past inhabitants of Brockdish and Needham’s rural communities and the historic properties they inhabited.

Project Co-ordinator Stephen Poulter, a resident of Needham, explained how successful the initiative has been: “We’d originally planned to celebrate the launch of a new Local History website for the villages with a talk and a free public exhibition to showcase the new information we’ve discovered. But we’ve got more than enough historical material to run two separate presentations and displays — one in Brockdish and the other in Needham.” The programme kicks off on Saturday 6 April in Needham Parish Church at 2.30pm, where Stephen will be giving a free illustrated talk about some of the recent historical finds. This will be followed at 4pm by the official launch of a Needham History Exhibition at the Village Hall next door, which stays open until 7pm. The Exhibition will be open again on Sunday 7 April from 11am to 5pm. On Sunday 28 April, at the Waveney Heritage Centre in Grove Road, Brockdish, Baroness Elaine Murphy — a long-standing Brockdish resident and patron of the Community Heritage Project — will officially launch the Needham & Brockdish History website at 2.30pm. This will be followed by a talk by Dr David Seddon, who also lives in Brockdish. The Brockdish History Exhibition will be open from 11am to 5pm on that same day and the following day between

11am and 7pm. All these events are free.

Geoff Doggett, Chair of the Waveney Heritage Centre, commented: “We have been delighted to support Needham & Brockdish Community Heritage Project right from its inception, and enjoyed hosting regular meetings and workshops for the volunteers, as well as including several interesting aspects i talks lk about b of local history research in our monthly Sunday afternoon events programme.” Over the last 9 months the Heritage Project has organised a programme of visits, talks and workshops, all of which were free for volunteers. Trips included a day at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Museum of Norfolk Life; a meeting with the team at the 100th Bomb Group Museum at Thorpe Abbotts; a behind-the-scenes tour of the Norfolk Heritage Centre at The Millennium Library in Norwich; and research trips to the Norfolk and Suffolk Record Offices. Local historians have also given public talks on Poor Law Records and the History of Education in East Anglia, and two very popular Heritage Walks of Needham were organised, along with workshops on ‘Researching Family History’’ and ‘How to Read 17th Century Documents’.

We’ve fabulous ales direct from the cask and welcoming log fires to bring you in from the cold (when the weather means you can’t use our gorgeous beer garden). Our chef/manager Leigh’s food ranges from traditional pub grub to a brilliant Daily Specials board Fresh Fish on Fridays / Senior Special - Fish & Chips every Wed 12-2.30pm / Sunday Roasts 12-3pm / New Queens on the road - outside catering & parties for every event / Mobile bar & disco to hire

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Norwich

MICHAEL CHANDLER MEETS….

CLLR MARTIN SCHMIERER, Lord Mayor of Norwich

artin has lived in Norwich since 1994 and between 2016 and 2018 was leader of the Green Party group on Norwich City Council. I spoke to this very young Lord Mayor to find out about his passions and what makes Norwich so special to him. MC: Were you always interested in politics? MS: My political interest came from the Iraq War in 2003, which made me about 16, and I knew going to war was a mistake. At University I was involved with CND, Amnesty International and Civil Liberties. In the 2005 General Election I struggled with which party to support, but the Green Party offered me what I was looking for.

who make Norwich and add to the community by giving their time, energy and enthusiasm. Part of my job is to go out and thank the community, support various groups, or visit a charity that works with mental health in the Bluebell allotments. Every day is so different. I also work closely with ‘The Feed’, which offers the homeless training and job prospects. This is a real passion of mine.

MC: What is your heritage?

MC: Tell us more about the homeless situation in Norwich

MS: I’m the first Lord Mayor of Norwich to have been born in Germany, but I consider myself British. I support Germany in football but I’m also a big England fan. When the two teams meet I feel very torn! Norwich has a documented history of welcoming those from different countries, which is why you will find the word ‘Strangers’ in the City.

MS: Norwich is like every other city where the homeless are concerned. There are many people out on the streets in all weathers and we need to give them opportunities – that’s where the charity ‘The Feed’ helps. Norwich has at least 21 people sleeping rough, but that figure is coming down.

MC: Why did your family come to East Anglia? MS: My father was a Civil Servant with the Coastguard Agency in Great Yarmouth and I visited Beccles, Norwich and other areas. My mother loved Norwich and decided it was the place to bring up a family. My grandfather also lived in the Waveney Valley near Halesworth for a time. I’m very pleased my family decided to relocate to Norwich, it has some of the finest hidden gems and best kept secrets in England. MC: Tell us about your day-to-day role? MS: It’s a very eclectic role, with strange hours, but getting to see what goes on around the city is very exciting. It’s the people

MC: What does your future hold? MS: I’m still trying to work that out, but I would like to stay in Norwich because it is by far one of the greatest cities I have even visited or worked in. MC: How do you see the future of Norwich? MS: Every generation likes to make their own mark and it’s very important not to rest on our laurels and live in history. It’s about moving forward. Medieval buildings and modern architecture can work together, and we see this at City Hall, The Forum and St Peter Mancroft. The Norfolk dialect is in decline and I would like to see it documented for future generations. Michael Chandler is also a historian, so if you are looking to find historical information on people, homes, buildings or anything else, then please email history@cwhs.co.uk and quote this magazine for a 15% discount.

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Local walks

WALKING FOR Health

The Central Norfolk Walking for Health group put on 6 or 7 walks a week in Norwich and the surrounding area.

alks are free and where possible end with a coffee and cake. Walks are divided into three â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gradesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to help you find the best walk for your fitness level:

GRADE 2 Suitable for those looking to increase their activity level. They are between 30 to 60 minutes long, and may include moderate slopes, steps, stiles and the ground may be uneven.

GRADE 1 Suitable for those who have not walked much before, or are recovering from injury or illness. They tend to be on flat or gently sloping ground, with firm surfaces and no steps or stiles. The walks should take no more than 30 minutes.

GRADE 3 For people looking for more challenging walks. The walks are between 45 to 90 minutes long, and may include steeper slopes, steps, uneven ground and stiles.

WALKS IN APRIL

All walks start at 10.30 am unless otherwise stated. Date

Location

Monday 1st

Earlham Cemetery/Heigham Park,

Grade

Area

Description

Miles/

City

Tarmac and some grassy paths. Short, moderate slope.

South

Paths and lanes. 70% soft. Two stiles, planks. Can be muddy.

85 mins

Broad

Lanes and woodland. Moderate slope, Can be muddy. 50% soft.

50 mins

South

Field paths. Grass can be long and uneven. 90% soft.

1/2

Broad

Road and field edge paths, 3 kissing gates. 30% soft.

40/55 mins

Across fields, field edges and tracks. Can be muddy.

3.3 80 mins

Time Inside gate, Earlham Rd, NR2 3RJ Monday 1st

Brooke Village Hall Norwich Road, NR15 1AB

Tuesday 2nd

Thorpe St Andrew Rec CP Laundry Lane, NR7 OXG, Coffee -The Place

Tuesday 2nd

Caistor St Edmund Roman Town Car Park, NR14 8QL, Coffee church Lingwood Church Car Park

Weds 3rd

Church Road, NR13 4TD

2.6 60 mins 3.7

2.4

2.9 75 mins 1.5/2.4

Friday 5th

Mulbarton Village Hall Car Park The Common, NR14 8AE

South

Friday 5th

Adam & Eve Car Park/Bridges Bishopgate, NR1 1RZ

City

Across bridges to Barn Road. Mostly flat, hard paths.

2.5 60 mins

Monday 8th

Sloughbottom Park CP, Drayton Rd, NR3 2PW, Coffee Norman Centre

City

Park paths, tracks. 90% firm but muddy when wet.

2.4 60 mins

Monday 8th

Earlham Millennium Green Car Park, University Drive, NR4 7TJ

City

Tarmac paths & dirt tracks, board walks & marshland. 60% soft.

1.9 40 mins

Tuesday 9th 10.30/10.45

Foundry/Riverside, Recorder Road, NR1 1BP

1/2

City

Riverside walk and cathedral. 100% firm. Buses to rail station.

Walkers should register with the Facebook page (Central Norfolk Walking for Health) to receive important messages. To find out more, visit www.walkingforhealth.org.uk.

1/1.5/2.4 30-60 mins

Local walks Date

Location

Tuesday 9th

Grade

Area

Description

Wreningham Bird in Hand Car Pk Church Rd, NR16 1BJ, Coffee pub

South

Lanes and field paths. 50% soft. Moderate slope, 2 plank bridges.

4.2 90 mins

Weds 10th

Blofield Church, Church Lane, NR13 4NA, Coffee in church

Broad

Public footpaths, across meadow and countryside. 50% firm.

3.2 60 mins

Friday 12th

Catton Park Recreation Ground CP Church Ln, NR6 7DS, Coffee church

Broad

Circular walk. Mostly firm with woodland and views across to city.

1.5 45 mins

Friday 12th

River & Ridge, Rouen Road, Thorn Lane NR1 1QT, Coffee Kings Centre

City

Woodland ridge walk. 100% firm. Steep gradients.

1.6 40 mins

Monday 15th

Marston Marsh Waitrose CP,Eaton (far corner) NR4 6NU, Coffee store

City

Cycle path, boardwalk, squeeze gates, moderate slope.

2.8 60 mins

Monday 15th

Waterloo Park, Car Park, Angel Rd, NR3 3HX, Coffee – Britannia Cafe

1/2

City

Walk in beautiful park. 100% firm.

Tuesday 16th

Trowse Ski Centre CP, Whitlingham Lane, NR14 8TN, Coffee ski centre

City

Common and riverside. 75% soft. Gentle slopes.1 high stile.

2.3m 55 mins

Tuesday 16th

Hethersett Recreation Ground Park Drive, NR9 3EN

South

Pavement and grass footpaths. 50% soft. Can be muddy.

3.0 65 mins

Weds 17th

Acle Recreation Ground Car Park Bridewell Lane, NR13 3RA

Broad

Busy roads, quiet lanes, some woodland. 50% firm.

3.2 65 mins

Good Friday 19th

Caistor St Edmund Roman Town Car Park, NR14 8QL

2/3

South

Field paths. Grass can be long and uneven. 90% soft.

2.7/4.4 60/75 mins

Bank Hol Monday 22nd

Surlingham Ferry PH Car Park 1 Ferry Rd, NR14 7AR, Coffee pub

2/3

South

Roads, river and grassy paths. 50% firm. Mod slopes, 3 stiles.

2m/4 60/90 mins

Tuesday 23rd

Swardeston Village Hall CP, The Common, NR14 8DL, Coffee Cavell Rm

South

Roads and tracks, some uneven. 60%.One moderate slope.

3.1 60 mins

Tuesday 23rd

Forum/Marriott’s Way Outside The Forum, NR1

City

Flat, level footpath trail, concrete paths and muddy woodland.

2.6 60 mins

Weds 24th

North Burlingham, St Andrew’s Church, NR13 4TA, Park on road

Broad

Grass, dirt footpaths along field edges and woodland.

3.2 80 mins

Friday 26th 10.30/10.45

Foundry/Riverside, Recorder Road, NR1 1BP

1/2

City

Friday 26th

Fundenhall St Nicholas’ Church Church Ln, NR16 IAH, Coffee church

South

Sunday 28th 11.00

Whitlingham Broad Old Barn Car Park, Whitlingham Lane NR14

Monday 29th

Trowse Ski Centre CP, Whitlingham Lane, NR14 8TN, Coffee ski centre

Monday 29th

Eaton Park Car Park South Park Ave NR4 7AU, Coffee pavilion cafe

Tuesday 30th

Earlham/UEA Broad, Eaton Park CP, South Park Ave, NR4 7AZ

Tuesday 30th

Thorpe St Andrew Rec CP Laundry Lane, NR7 OXG, Coffee -The Place

Riverside walk and cathedral. 100% firm. Buses to rail station.

Miles/ Time

0.8/2.4 30/60 mins

1/1.5/2.4 30-60 mins

Roads, woodland and field edge paths. 2 stiles.

3.8 90 mins

City

Flat circular walk around broad. Birds and wildlife.

2.3 50 mins

City

Common and riverside. 75% soft. Gentle slopes. 1 high stile.

2.3 55 mins

City

Circular walk around part perimeter. Mostly firm.

1.5 35 mins

2/3

City

Broad walk – paths and tracks. 90% soft. Steps and slopes.

Broad

Lanes and woodland. Moderate slope, Can be muddy. 50% soft.

2.2/4.4 50/90 mins 2.4 50 mins

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What’s on this month

VILLAGE NOTICE BOARD MUSIC

THEATRE

JOANNA EDEN TRUTH TREE

WYMONDHAM PLAYERS PRESENT “LIFE AFTER BETH”

SATURDAY 6TH APR St. Bartholomew’s Church, Orford, Suffolk IP12 2NZ

If you like the music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, James Taylor and Kate Bush we can guarantee you a wonderful evening with great music in the magnificent acoustic of St. Bartholomew’s Church. Doors and bar open at 7pm. There will be a few tables available as well as unreserved seating and the bar will be open during the performances so do book now for this special event.

NATURE OPEN GARDEN DAFFODIL DAY SUNDAY 7TH APR 10AM The Old Coach House, The Street, Brockdish IP21 4JY

Over 2 acres of Woodland and gardens leading to the banks of the River Waveney. In Aid of EAAA, Prostate Cancer, St Elizabeth Hospice, and local Charities. Teas and Refreshments, cakes, stalls, tombola and Raffle. Adults £3 children free with an adult. Dogs welcome on leads.

WED 10TH - SAT 13TH APR Wymondham Central Hall, Wymondham An Alan Ayckbourn play showing from Wed 10th to Sat 13th April, including Sat matinee at 2pm. It’s Christmas, and Beth is mourning the recent death of her husband. Her sister in law and son have come to stay but their good intentions are short lived. The Vicar tries to provide Beth with comfort but his efforts have unforeseen consequences. www.wymondhamplayers.org.uk

more unusual flowers than those normally seen in supermarkets. Very experienced society members will be on hand to offer cultural advice based on their decades of growing, repotting, disease prevention and general care of orchids. The society meets on the 3rd Friday of each month in Hellesdon Parish Hall Low Road, Hellesdon NR6 5AT.

CLASS FREE EARLY PREGNANCY CLASS

THURSDAY 25TH APR 7:30PM

FAYRE ATTLEBOROUGH SPRING FAYRE

SAT 13TH APR 10AM-2PM Town Hall, Attleborough Lots of lovely stalls, Tombola, face painting, teas and cake. Free Entry.

SALE PLANT SALE

SUNDAY 14TH APR 10 - 3PM. Redgrave & Lopham Fen, Low Common Road, South Lopham, Diss IP22 2HX Annual event with over 20 award-winning and specialist nurseries. Plus, second hand tools & donated plants. £1.50 adults, children free. Hot & cold refreshments available. Dogs on leads welcome.

SHOW ORCHID SOCIETY OF EAST ANGLIA SPRING SHOW

SUNDAY 14TH APRIL Jubilee Hall on Back Lane in Hethersett In addition to the fabulous flowers on show there will be sales of orchid plants, some with

Rowan House Health & Wellbeing Centre, Queens Road, Hethersett NR9 3DB About Birth & Babies offers a free early pregnancy class which aims to give you the chance to celebrate your pregnancy, find out what to expect while you’re expecting, explore some common pregnancy concerns, ask questions, marvel at how your amazing baby is developing, and look ahead to preparing for the birth. Booking essential.

SALE PRELOVED SALE AT TIBENHAM CAFE

SATURDAY 27TH APR 11AM Tibenham Community Hall, Pristow Green Lane, Tibenham Proceeds to Myeloma UK and The Big C. Preloved sale of clothes, shoes and accessories, alongside the usual monthly cafe serving light lunches and refreshments-free entry.

Village Notice Board JUMBLE

FAYRE

NATURE

GRAND JUMBLE SALE

NORFOLK PLANT HERITAGE PLANT FAIR

BUTTERFLY GARDENING

SATURDAY 27TH APR 2-4PM Lincoln Hall, Hingham Grand Jumble Sale - In aid of Buckenham House Riding for the Disabled. Jumble, bric-a-brac, books, cakes, tombola, raffle draw and refreshments.

EVENT WILDFEST WORSTEAD

SATURDAY 4TH MAY 11AM

Q Eli b th Field, Fi ld R i Rd, R Queen Elizabeth Ruin North Walsham NR28 9WH WildFest Worstead will be a mixture of live music, street food, loads of beer, fully stocked bars, Norfolk produce, a battle of the bands, kids entertainment, inflatables and more!! The day will comprise of family fun with kids entertainment, inflatables and more. The evening is bands, bars and dancing! Tickets are for those attending evening session only! Free entry before 5.

EVENT BUNGAY AREA LIONS CLUB CLASSIC VEHICLE RALLY & COUNTRY FAYRE SUNDAY 5TH MAY 10AM Earsham Hall, NR35 2AN

SUNDAY 5TH MAY 10AM Hethersett Village Hall, Back Lane, Hethersett. NR9 3JJ Many of our once loved garden plants are quietly vanishing forever. The Norfolk Plant Heritage Group is committed to encouraging its members to grow historic, unusual and threatened plants, to share plants with other members, to help preserve genetic material and biodiversity and to ensure a rich horticultural environment for future generations

SALE NEW-U STYLE & SWAP

SATURDAY 11TH MAY 6:30PM Level 1, Castle Mall Shopping Centre, Norwich

Dickleburgh Village Centre Butterfly Gardening, an inspiring talk by Dr. Ian Bedford, Head of the Entomology Facility at The John Innes Centre, Norwich. With many species of British butterflies in decline, how can we attract them to our gardens and can we help them survive? £6, including refreshments. For information and tickets contact Pat Leigh 01379 642 559 or gpleigh@btinternet.com. In aid of Rushall Church.

MUSIC Cashless shopping event. 1000s of good quality items of clothing and accessories, high street brands and designer labels - Re-vamp your wardrobe for free! Fashion show, beauty, refreshments and more. Bring your pre-loved or unworn items in advance into our shop on level 2 Castle Mall Norwich and exchange for tokens to spend on the night. Tickets just £10 each from www.new-ultd.co.uk.

EVENT 7th annual event attracting around 4,000 people. Around 500 classic vehicles, plus auto jumble, catering, craft and trade stalls. Fun for all the family with musical performances and children’s entertainment. Adult entry is £5 per person, with accompanied under 16s free.

SATURDAY 18TH MAY 2PM

THE BIBLE TODAY EXHIBITION

FRIDAY 17TH MAY 10AM - 8PM Rickinghall Village Hall A display featuring the history, preservation, translation and message of the Bible, the book described at the coronation as “the greatest thing that this world affords”. Free admission.

SUFFOLK SINGERS CONCERT

SATURDAY 25TH MAY 7:30PM Norwich Cathedral, Norwich

Suffolk Singers will treat you to a concert of moving anthems and modern choir music, both a cappella and accompanied, in a programme specifically selected for the wonderful setting of Norwich Cathedral. Tickets £15.

WANT TO ADVERTISE?

List your local event for Free on our Village Notice Board. Log onto www.village-people. info to send us details

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

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Recipe

COURGETTE, ASPARAGUS, PEA AND BASIL FRITTATA

Serves 4

From Juliette at Frederick’s Fine Foods, in Diss

METHOD

This is a lovely and simple dish to make. It looks so pretty on the plate and is great served with a crisp salad. It also makes good picnic food cut into slices or wedges and eaten with your fingers! You can vary what goes into the frittata according to what you have – the base is really the egg and the potato – after that it’s up to your imagination!

01. Pu ut a saucepan of water on the stove and bring to the boil – blanch the courgette slices for a minute then drain and run cold water over them to keep their colour. Allow to cool. Cook the potato slices in boiling water for 5 minutes then drain. Brush the loaf tin with oil and lay the slices of courgette in the tin to line it – the ends can overhang the sides.

INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon rapeseed oil (or vegetable oil) 1 large courgette – sliced longways on a mandolin or with a potato peeler. Any bits left over can be diced and added to the dish. 100g frozen peas 200g peeled potato – sliced on the mandolin or cut thinly with a knife 1 bunch of asparagus – trimmed 2 teaspoons of basil pesto (fresh or from a jar) 6 eggs – lightly beaten 200ml double cream Salt and pepper A loaf tin

02. Place a layer of potato slices on the courgettes in the bottom of the tin and sprinkle on some of the peas, a few asparagus spears and a little pesto. Repeat the layers until you have used up the potato slices, peas, asparagus and pesto. Add the cream to the eggs and beat gently to combine. Add a little salt and pepper and pour the mixture over the potato, peas and asparagus. 03. Fold the ends of the courgettes over the egg mixture and cover with more courgette slices. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 40 minutes – the tortilla is cooked when it’s golden brown on top and feels firm and springy. Allow to cool fully before trying to turn it out onto a plate – you may need to ease it a little with a knife around the sides. Delicious!

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Village Life

Gospel from THE SAINTS By Julia Collins, who lives in Saint Nicholas

h oh, it’s that time of the year again – with ‘Poisson D’Avril’ lurking around ‘chaque coin’ or, in other words – April Fools’ Day.

“ONLY until midday”, my weary parents used to remind us. I suppose by the time they had waded through empty, hard-boiled egg shells inverted in clearly used egg-cups, bogus (and wholly unconvincing) entreaties as to a ‘Day off’ school having been declared and “Oh look, there’s a donkey in the garden”, my mother would have happily driven us down to St Dominic’s JMI even if her car had been sporting the puncture hilariously reported by at least two of her three daughters. She didn’t need this addition to the daily helter-skelter departure for school as it vortexed from kitchen to front drive, swirling up grubby blazers and scuffed duffle bags en route. Easter falls on Sunday 21 April this year, giving us plenty of time to harvest the requisite chocolate goodies. The array of Easter decorations on sale seems to increase year on year and sometimes these can make interesting alternatives to edible gifts. There is something irresistible about miniature eggs, rabbits and chicks in sugar almond shades, and they look lovely suspended from budding branches (catkins perhaps) adorning the kitchen table, windowsill or dresser. Personally, I find chocolate eggs, once opened, become positively dangerous. Am I alone in breaking off yet another piece, every time I pass, only to desperately scan the box (mercifully recycled cardboard nowadays) to check just how many grams of chocolate the Swiss siren contained and mentally

convert it into bars? Eek, no wonder I don’t feel like lunch! Knocking up some home-made Easter offerings can be a seasonal way of occupying the children for an afternoon. Be assured, the clearing up will take ages, even if the manufacturing side of things is fairly swift. Can there be anything nicer (or stickier) than receiving hand-crafted chocolate truffles, lovingly encased in likewise crafted paper doilies and presented neatly, if rather tightly, in a little box, still redolent of Christmas bath bombs? Very often, Easter brings an enticing taste of the warm weather to come. It may not feel exactly picnic-y, but being outside — and not just thinking about how quickly you can be inside again — is a reality. Outdoor events gather pace, unfurling like flowers to offer inspiration and entertainment. Street markets of every hue, antique fairs and gardens all vie for our attention, not to mention concerts, art trails and even a local marathon! Stronger sunshine smooches us towards May. Lighter clothing becomes less risible and shoes increasingly replace wellies. Balmier afternoons will bear the guilt-inducing sound of distant lawnmowers on the breeze, while scent and colour steal determinedly back into our gardens. No more hiding inside! The urge to move cautiously from jeans, jumpers and log burners to terrace and tapas is tingling in our veins. While flames lick lumps and rust off the bbq, we dig out the cushions for the garden furniture. The rays that faded their stripes to a pale raspberry ripple will soon be back.

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Poetry

TO M TH E CO B

Poetry Corner Poem by William Henry Sutton, aged 81, from Wortham. William’s first job back in 1953 was for United Dairies where his job was to look after the horses.

tly Happy children riding quie cob the Tom old d, Well-loved frien ghtly spri e mor s day to k bac Remembers Back to times in his old job r thrusting Milk crates jangling, shoulde hill ch ty fros s, Early morning ing rust are now that s, Pulling cart From the depot on the hill. king Calls of “gee-up”, whip a crac dog king bar , stle Policeman’s whi backing then d stan – ping Plodding – stop rd jog. ewa hom e com wel the n The ------------------------bered Now alas his days are num d. woo the by s ture pas n In gree

William Henry Sutton

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

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Falcon Meadow

NATURE…up close

Katie Utting tells Village People why she works as a volunteer for the Falcon Meadow Community Trust, in Bungay, and looks at the challenges ahead

licking through photographs on Falcon Meadow’s new website it’s clear why this scenic riverside spot is so popular – much loved by residents and visitors alike. I feel so lucky that my children have this tranquil open space to splash in the water and explore nature up close.

And I’m not alone; so many people take pleasure from Falcon Meadow – canoeists, anglers, dog walkers and groups of teens. Phenomenally, when the meadow went up for sale, local residents led by Tim and Sue Child secured £50,000 in funding to purchase the site in just eight weeks, ensuring it remained accessible to all. A supporter of fundraising events and working parties, I became a trustee for Falcon Meadow in 2017. I organised the installation of a barn owl box, and this lead to an increasing interest in how the meadow was being managed for wildlife. It was exciting to read the site survey and management plan produced by Sam Brown of Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Carrying out the management plan hasn’t been easy. Our aim is to reduce the meadow’s fertility through mowing and removing the cuttings so they don’t rot down. Reduced fertility will stop fast-growing plants, like nettles, from outcompeting more varied and ecologically beneficial plants.

We have found a solution to cutting, baling and removing the grass cuttings, thanks to local farmers David Utting and Johnny Crickmore. The hay cut itself helps to prevent excessive nutrient accumulation in the system. We need to graze cattle on the meadow, so if anyone can offer us a couple of hardy cattle over autumn and some suitable fencing please do get in touch. Leaving areas of scrub and dead wood to help maintain a healthy environment for wildlife has also been a challenge. People associate neatly cropped areas of lawn with places that are cared for and well managed. But this is the worst possible scenario for biodiversity. Rough areas with as much structural and species variety as possible are perfect habitats for many small animals, including insects. Insects are under threat globally, and this has a knock-on effect for our ecosystems. Falcon Meadow faces the problems that wildlife faces all over the world, but everyone can help to combat species decline by encouraging weeds to take hold in our lawns. We are holding regular working parties and wildlife events over the coming year to encourage people to help maintain the meadow. Come on down and join us if you can. Take a look at www.falconmeadow.org.uk to find out more.

Eating Out

Ladies Who Lunch

TEA ROOM & RESTAURANT AT PETER BEALES

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f you look at Peter Beales’ website you will be informed about the outside area attached to the tea room. At this time of year you probably won’t be interested, and especially now, as it looks like a building site! In fact it is a building site – the tea room and kitchens are being extended to provide an even better service. The kitchens will be better able to cope and there will be more space to sit and enjoy the food, and of course contemplate which rose to buy.

I love this place, and I wrote about it in autumn 2013. It hasn’t changed. We took a table by the window to make the most of the sun shining in, and inspected the menu and specials board. Last time I was here I had a salad, this time I chose a salad again – from the light bites section – with prawns in Rose Marie sauce. Alice chose the fishcakes and a side order of wedges in case the fishcakes didn’t fill her up, so she was delighted to see that they were a very substantial size and packed with salmon. My salad was a good big one, and the portion of prawns was generous too. Being in such a rush to order, I didn’t read the menu fully, and thought that “Hot beverages and nonalcoholic drinks are served throughout the day” meant that there would be no wine or beer – wrong again!

cream”, so the cream went back to the kitchen untouched. The pavlova was divine with just enough tartness in the raspberries to prevent it from being taxed on account of the high sugar content! Alice ate her roulade in silence with the occasional “mmmm” to indicate sheer pleasure – it was quite large too. I think my abiding memory of this place from the times I have visited is that they do big enough servings to the point of (but not quite) excess!

It is a very comprehensive menu and I missed my favourite bit. Actually the Elderflower pressé I chose instead was a delight, and more than £1 cheaper. I shall have to remember that! Alice (the driver this time) had Rose Lemonade which was the prettiest pink, and also cheaper.

The gift shop has a wide range of lovely things, and there are always plants and bulbs for sale. But as I have managed to plant about 1,000 tulip p Tea Room and Restaurant at Peter Beales, London Rd, bulbs this year I flexed d Attleborough, Norfolk my self-control muscle e NR17 1AY and looked away!

Now comes the pudding moment! As I had helped Alice to finish off her wedges – which were very tasty and soft as butter in the middle – I dismissed the sticky toffee pudding, and other sponge puddings, and opted for the Raspberry Pavlova. Alice chose the White Chocolate and Raspberry Roulade. Both came with cream and I think I must have left my brain at home because I forgot to say, “could I please have ice cream instead of pouring

Good car park and disabled loos – and altogether disabledfriendly. The staff were all very happy and cheerful. We will go again.

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The creator of the garden, the late Bernard Tickner MBE gifted the garden to Perennial, the only UK charity who help people in horticulture, to support the industries that create and maintain these glorious green spaces. Treat yourself in the Bothy Tea room and take a bit of the garden home with you by purchasing plants grown on site.

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Theatre

TREADING THE BOARDS

with Open Space

ollowing in the footsteps of the Fisher family, which brought theatre to Bungay and East Anglia in the 19th century, the Open Space Theatre Company is a touring group that has been bringing productions to a wide rural area for 11 years.

Formed in 2008, Open Space has presented more than 20 plays, including classic works by Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Henrik Ibsen, Harold Pinter and Oscar Wilde. They have performed at some of the region’s best-loved venues such as the Fisher Theatre in Bungay, Diss Corn Hall, Wingfield Barns, The Cut arts centre at Halesworth, Beccles Public Hall, Laxfield Village Hall and The Hub at Ubbeston. Rachel Kellett, an Open Space trustee, said: “Touring theatre is very hard work, but everyone involved gets a big kick of it. We have to transport lighting and sound equipment, stage furniture and screens to each venue, setting up in the afternoon for that night’s performance and then taking it apart afterwards. Tim Hall (left) Emma Martin and Ben Willmott in The Browning Version, by Terence Rattigan, the group’s last production.

“Rehearsals take place Cat On a Hot over a two-month Tin Roof, by Tennessee period at our base at Williams Wingfied Barns, and culminate in a tour of eight performances spread over three weeks. The actors in the company come from a wide area, some of them local and others from as far as Ipswich, Norwich and Lowestoft.” Open space boasts some experienced former professional actors, such as Peter Sowerbutts, who lives in Harleston. He had a long career in the theatre, and worked with Dame Judi Dench in a production of The Cherry Orchard, by Anton Chekhov. Other actors include Cathy Gill, who lives at Homersfield and formerly ran her own professional theatre company, Tim Hall, from Diss, who trained at the Octogen Theatre in Bolton, and Darren France, one of the leading lights of Bungay’s Fisher Theatre. Cathy, Tim and Darren will all be in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams, which Open Space is touring in April. For further information on tour dates, go to www.openspacetheatre.org.uk or call 01986 894411.

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Top Tips

FIVE TOP TIPS FOR

choosing curtain and blind fabrics

oft furnishings expert Natalie Canning shares her five top tips for selecting the right fabrics for the job, and helps you avoid some very common and costly mistakes. 1. CONSIDER THE LOCATION If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a sunny place, think about whether you need the fabric to be thick enough to reduce some of the glare, or if you would prefer a lightweight material that gives you some privacy but still allows light to come through. Silk fabric is always a luxurious choice, but will rot if exposed to strong sunlight, so interline in addition to standard lining. For draughty windows, heavyweight fabrics will really help to insulate the room. If your heart is set on a lighter weight fabric, but you are still concerned about the chilly air, you can interline and line your curtains for maximum draught exclusion. Think about the style in your room â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is it country, contemporary or something else? Take a look through magazines and social media for inspiration on how fabric patterns and colours can create your perfect room! 2. IMAGINE THE END RESULT If a fabric has a pattern, think about how it will look on the finished item. Large patterns can get lost on a small blind, but look amazing on full length curtains. Equally, a roman blind can be the perfect way to showcase a detailed fabric design as the material is flat and not gathered in any way. Fabrics often behave differently when they are made up. For example, a heavy cotton will make crisp folds in a roman blind, but a lightweight fabric will appear more floppy and potentially lose its shape over time. If you are unsure, ask an expert.

3. THINK ABOUT YOUR BUDGET An obvious difference between curtains and blinds is the amount of fabric they require. If you need to keep the cost down buy inexpensive fabric for your curtains, but have them professionally made with interlining and lining. This will create beautiful curtains with a luxurious drape and feel, but at a fraction of the cost. You can then splash out on a more expensive coordinating fabric for smaller items like cushions or blinds. 4 MEASURE UP Always measure once with a metal rule, write down the amounts, then measure again to be sure. Check the width of the fabric too, as this can vary a great deal. Take a look at our website www.nataliecanning.co.uk for easy measuring guides. 5. ALWAYS LOOK AT SAMPLES A must before making a final decision. If you have seen something online, order a sample, if you have seen something in a shop, ask for a small cutting or order a sample. Place the fabric sample in your window to allow the light to shine through, then live with it for a few days before deciding. It is also a really good idea to place the fabric next to any other colours and patterns in the same room. This way you can be really confident they will work perfectly together.

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Gardens

The Garden Enclosure Jottings

f you’re new to gardening and thinking about choosing plants for your plot you may feel in need of a crystal ball to show you how your creation will look once it’s finished and also in future years. Are the plants you like going to be happy to play their part in forming the garden you want, not only in terms of their size in time, but also is the position that you intend to place them in ok — will it be bright enough, is the soil suitable, do they require a bit of shelter from strong winds, are they hardy… and can you look after them? Now you could go for the easy option of buying a few choice plants that catch your eye and simply shove them in, then wait to see what happens, but this approach is a bit risky and often results in disappointment, leading to the conclusion that you haven’t been gifted with green fingers! However, with a little bit of understanding, your dream garden can slowly become a reality. If you’re not sure about something then ask for advice, we’re happy to help and we know a lot about plants, so if you’re looking to fill a gap or even a whole border, call in, we always have a wonderful range of East Anglian sourced plants in stock, and access to thousands of others, plus all you need to grow them and set them off to their best!

If your garden is capable of growing weeds then it’s capable of growing something much more ornamental with just a little bit of effort. Shrubs are great in creating structure, and once established they’re generally the easiest to look after, followed by hardy herbaceous perennials, a good mix of these will provide you with a long lasting succession of flowers year after year, they’re incredibly good value (starting at just £1.99 each) and they’re the stalwarts of cottage gardens. If you fancy a more contemporary look you could try combining perennials with some beautiful and airy grasses, or grow bold clumps in large pots or barrels, but don’t forget to feed and water plants in containers regularly! If you can spare some extra time to look after bedding and basket plants they’re worth the effort as they’re packed with lots of flower power to enjoy, they may only last one season but for sheer exuberance you just can’t beat them, with glorious choices for any time of year!

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FL LOWER POWER If yo ou haven’t done so already ma ake sure your summerflow wering bulbs are in the gro ound. Prepare the soil first to ensure there is enough drrainage to prevent the bulbs ro otting. Anemone coronaria tu ubers, for instance, need p particularly well-drained soils. C Check the plants you buy h have strong shoots and plant them in well-prepared soil. Harden off half-hardy plants by leaving them outside during the day and bringing back under cover at night

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for 7 to 10 days before planting outdoors. Here is the secret to beautiful hanging baskets! Firstly, when you plant up, always use a good quality compost, and add some slow release fertiliser and water retaining crystals – they’ll make the baskets so much easier to care for come midsummer! Also, make sure you always plant up around the sides of the baskets, to give more impact, quicker! Finally, through the season, keep taking off the dead flowers and you’ll get more and more growth.

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Gardens

THE GRASS IS GREENER! After a winter of neglect, your lawn is crying out for a bit of TLC. Start mowing once a week, starting with the blades at the highest setting, then gradually lower them over the coming weeks. For a perfect finish, trim lawn edges with long-handled shears or a grass trimmer. Bare or thin patches of grass can be thickened up by raking over the surface and then resowing. Feed established lawns with a slow-release organic

fertiliser high in nitrogen to get things off to a good start. If it contains weeds or moss, treat these at the same time with a weed, feed and mosskiller treatment. If you are turfing, this is the perfect time. Work from boards to tamp the sods gently into place and spread your weight. Stagger the joints as you would bricks in a wall. If the weather is dry you may need to water to prevent the edges curling.

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THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT Prick out seedlings before they get too crowded, and then pot them on as individual plants as soon as they are large enough. Give greenhouse plants more space as they put on new growth, helping to prevent disease and contain early pest infestations. Check if plants need watering every few days and give seedlings daily attention. Maintain a minimum temperature of 5Â°C to prevent tender plants being killed by the cold. If the weather turns warm, apply a light covering of shade paint on greenhouse panes to shield plants from bright sunshine. A sheet of newspaper, or some shade netting from the garden centre, also work well as temporary shading. Temperatures can still drop sharply at night, so invest in a heated propagator or fleece cover as a cost effective solution. Good ventilation in your greenhouse is essential. High humidity can encourage diseases such as grey mould, so open vents and doors during warmer days.

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Recipe

STILTON & WALNUT SCONES

The Pennoyer Centre café is renowned for its delicious range of scones, both sweet and savoury. This recipe is a joint creation from café staff Ben and Donna, and they always sell out within minutes. Perfect on their own, or with a bowl of soup, they are best eaten the same day. Serves 6-16

Tip:

Don’t let the milk glaze drip dow n the sid es of a scone or it will rise unevenly .

247 - 658kcal, depending on the size

INGREDIENTS 450g plain flour 115g butter 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 teaspoons mustard powder 250g Stilton, crumbled 150ml milk 2 eggs, beaten Handful of walnuts, roughly chopped Milk to glaze Plain cutter – any size up to 7cm (which gives you six giant scones)

METHOD 01. Blitz the flour, butter and baking powder briefly in a food processor until they resemble breadcrumbs. Alternatively, rub gently together with your fingertips. 02. Mix in the mustard, most of the Stilton, and the walnuts. Add the eggs and milk and stir gently until just combined. 03. Flour a clean worksurface then flatten the scone mix with your hands until it is the thickness of your cutter. Gently press down the cutter, without twisting, to make your scones. Don’t make a further scone from offcuts – it will be tough. Just clump them together and bake as a chef’s treat!

04. Lightly brush the tops with milk, and crumble over the remaining Stilton. Place on a baking sheet and in the fridge while the oven heats to 180ºC/160ºC fan. 05. Bake for 10 minutes, turn the sheet, then bake for up to a further 10 minutes (depending on size) until golden and risen. When tapped underneath, they should sound hollow.

06. Allow to cool slightly, then serve with good butter and a chutney.

VARIATIONS Substitute the Stilton and walnuts as follows: Sunblush Tomato, Chorizo and Cheese – 2 tbsps of chopped sunblush tomatoes, 140g of chorizo bits and 125g of any hard cheese, grated. Manchego & Chilli – 250g Manchego cheese (grated) plus dried chilli flakes to taste. The Pennoyer Centre’s staff and volunteer BakeForce make delicious cakes for the café, which won the EDP Norfolk Food & Drink “Best Baking” Award. The café is open Mon-Sat from 9.30am to 3.30pm. www.pennoyers.org.uk 01379 676660 The Pennoyer Centre, Station Road, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk, IP21 4QT

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BYWAYS to BROCKDISH

John Parry of Diss CTC finds a community cafe in a 14th Century pub.

here’s something cheerful about seeing the snowdrops and aconites fade. It means the worst of the winter has probably gone. The winds are losing their edge and the sun has some warmth. Both of which are welcome when you’re starting a 30-mile Sunday morning bike ride with Diss CTC. This particular day, Mike is leading a group of riders from Fair Green, Diss, to The Old King’s Head in Brockdish, further down the Waveney Valley.

Brockdish is one of Diss CTC’s closer destinations, but Mike first loops us through the byways of Burston, Shimpling and Rushall to boost the miles. The spring weather lifts our conversational spirits too, coupled with yesterday’s away win for Norwich and a stern avoidance of the subject of Brexit. (It’s not good to get cross on a bike – you lose your breath and balance equally). From Rushall it’s an open country ride north to Pulham St Mary then over to Starston, near Harleston. As we approach the bridge in Starston from the west we glimpse a white-sailed windmill tucked low in the valley, an unusual position for a mill in this region. It turns out it’s a small post mill built for water pumping, which explains why we see it from above! Climbing south out of Starston we head towards Needham on the old Harleston to Diss road. From here to Brockdish is a lovely run on the now by-passed road. It’s flat, wide, smooth, traffic-free and two miles from the cafe; just right for both the head-down sprinters and the carrot cake crew to show a turn of speed.

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Diss CTC riders emerge from the Old King’s Head cafe after elevenses.

The Old King’s Head was closed in 2013, after serving travellers since the 14th Century. It was re-opened in 2015 as a pub with a community cafe and excellent bakery. The pizzas here are highly regarded but 11am is a bit early, so we settle for our usual snack. Several non-riding club members also turn up to meet us, plus three riders who have ridden here independently to join our return leg; a clear compliment to the quality of the cafe! So we head home with more riders than we started with. The home route is equally indirect, through Syleham, Hoxne and Eye, before turning north to complete a lovely 30-mile round trip arriving back in Diss before 1pm. The Cyclathon’s back Diss Cyclathon 2018 was voted Cycling UK’s Best Amateur Club event and it’s back on Sunday 23 June. It features three ‘sportive’ events of 100, 50, and 25 miles and very popular family rides of 5, 10 and 15 miles, all along well-marked routes. Details at www.disscyclathon.org

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No. 65005

LOCAL HISTORIAN

MEMORIES OF BOTESDALE Local historian, Dennis Cross from Diss, shares with us his fascinating collection of old postcards, focusing on a different village in every issue. This issue, we take a walk down memory lane in Botesdale.

Botesdale in 1925 looking g up p Crown Hill showing g houses and shops. The population of the village was 460. Botesdale also had a county Police Station and the Sergeant in charge was George Sllater.

Botesdale Market Place and Crown Hill in 1908. This shows the Greyhound Public House and shops selling everyday needs. Every profession was represented; grocer, draper, baker, hardware, Post Office and boot and shoe repair.

Looking up Crown Hill, travelling from Bury St Edmunds in 1930. Telegraph poles and motor cars are now starting to appear.

This postcard shows the Wesleyan Chapel after a fire in January 1907. The chapel was built in 1832 and was rebuilt shortly after the fire in 1907. Reverend George Wright was the minister at this time.

History Crown Hill, Botesdale. This postally dated card from 1914 shows soldiers heading for the coast and the continent to an uncertain future.

The Bell Hotel, Hotel Botesdale, Botesdale in 1912 was run by Thomas Whitaker Hupton and was advertised with excellent apartments and accommodation for tourists and also good stabling. The hotel situated on the Rickinghall-Botesdale boundary is still open today.

The Street iin Botesdale Th S B d l in i 1912 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a very quiet road with children and adults posing outside the Bell Public House on the left. The Norfolk Postcard Club meets regularly in Trowse in Norwich and new members are very welcome. The next meetings are on 17th April and 15th May. Dennis is also the author of several local history books that can be purchased by contacting him direct.

The gathering of the people around the War l This h was unveiled l d in the h Market k Place l Memorial. in the 1920s and remembered all the soldiers killed in the First World War.

If readers d h have any local l l postcards t d off Di Diss or the surrounding villages, please get in touch with him after 7pm on 01379 651897. ÂŠ

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Seasonal food

WHAT’S IN Season?

Keep an eye on what’s in season and you’ll get the most out of all the fresh local produce that Norfolk and Suffolk have to offer. Juliette from Fredrick’s Fine Foods in Diss shares her favourites for April and May. VEGETABLES

FRUIT

n Purple Sprouting Broccoli – still around and still absolutely delicious! Why not try it with some chilli and garlic as a sauce for pasta, or as a simple supper of broccoli gratin with a cheese sauce and crispy cheese and breadcrumb topping? n Watercress – we are heading for summer and this makes a lovely peppery salad. Try pairing it with orange segments, medjoul dates and a vinaigrette dressing. n Chicory – if you like refreshing salads, try using some crisp chicory with Roquefort cheese and pear, or oranges and mozzarella. n Spring Onions – delicious in a stir fry, they add a little refreshing zing of taste and colour. n Asparagus – summer has arrived when we get the first taste of this wonderful crop – fresh from the garden you can eat it without bothering to cook it! It makes wonderful soups and how about a quick asparagus tart topped with a poached egg? Just spread cream cheese on puff pastry and lay the trimmed asparagus spears on top – bake for about 20 minutes at 200 °C and top with a poached egg. Heaven! n New Potatoes – if you can get local new potatoes do try them, but Jersey Royals will probably be around first! Delicious roasted with garlic and rosemary, but equally at home in a potato salad with a fresh vinaigrette dressing using ttarrag rragon and Dijon mustard.

n Rhubarb – wonderful with anything creamy like a cheesecake or rice pudding, but also undoubtedly a winner in a crumble! n Gooseberries – try something like a gooseberry fool with some homemade shortbread fingers. They go well with other fruits too, like greengages and nectarines.

FISH n Cockles – try cooking them with mussels in a little cider and a drop of cream at the end to give a velvety sauce, and some crusty bread to mop up those juices. n Sardines – try delicious little sardine fillets fresh from your fishmonger. Pan-fried after dipping in a little flour and served with a squeeze of lemon they are a tasty treat not to be missed.

MEAT n Venison – this is a very healthy meat so why not try it? Thin steaks are lovely cooked quickly and served while still tender with homemade potato wedges and a red cabbage slaw. n Lamb – the quintessential springtime meal, try a rack of lamb with fresh herb crust, or how about a stticky fig glaze l on your lamb – a real r treat with som me creamed cabbage and new potatoes?

Julie l ette tte aatt

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Plastic

RECYCLING - we can all do more

n the last issue of Village People I wrote about recycling and specifically ‘Ecobricks’, which was very well received. I was delighted when as a result of the article some school teachers contacted me to take up Ecobricking with their pupils. So I thought I should continue the theme and write about other forms of recycling open to us. We must appreciate that different county councils recycle different items depending on the county you live in, so please take this into consideration when deciding what to put into your council recycling bin. However, there are organisations such as ‘Terracycle’ who encourage us to collect household items not currently being recycled by our councils and send them to a local ‘holding’ area. These items are stored until a specific weight is accumulated, after which they are sent to Terracycle, who in turn send the items for recycling. Beccles in particular is one such ‘holding’ area and is registered to take Pringles packing, all brands of cracker, non-savoury biscuit wrappers, cake wrappers, toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes and plastic packing from toothbrushes, Ella’s kitchen baby food pouches, personal and beauty care packing such as face wipe packets, triggers and pumps from packaging, roll-on deodorants, tubes and flexible pots that contained beauty products, and all types of crips packets. Other items that can be collected are plastic lids from squash bottles and lids for containers like peanut butter, as well as sport bottle lids. These can be sent ‘FREEPOST’ to Lush for recycling. Local supermarkets may have collection containers outside their entrances which take carrier bags,

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bags from fruit, vegetables and bread and may even take computer ink cartridges and batteries. Beccles holds a monthly ‘Terracycle’ and ‘Ecobrick’ collection event, and a ‘Bring and Take’ every other month. There are two key benefits of joining Terracycle, and there are other streams of plastic they also take, like biro pen outers, that schools in particular can collect. The first benefit is that it will save these otherwise un-recyclable items from incineration or landfill, and the second is that Terracycle allows you to accrue points which can be exchanged for cash for your nominated charity. As I did at the end of the Ecobrick article, I’d like to stress again that this is all about becoming aware of where your single-use plastics come from, and trying to reduce them, not about how many items you can buy in order to ‘collect’ the packaging! With thanks to Caroline Topping. If you are interested in further information, or would like to set up your own ‘Terracycle’ collection point, then search ‘Terracycle’ on your Search Engine, or on Facebook search Terracycle Beccles.

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What’ss On

DESIGN YOUR OWN wacky

atitude festival has teamed up with Will Hardie, the master craftsman behind Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces and Shed of the Year – plus the creative minds behind Electric Picnic festival’s Trailer Park – to launch an art caravan competition. Grants of up to £2,000 will be available for creators to invent, design, build and host their own caravan or mobile structure at this year’s Latitude. The most jaw-dropping and inspiring ideas will be developed for a new ‘mobiletropolis’ set within the festival.

caravan AT LATITUDE

designs into being. Winners will be invited with a team of friends to host the creation at Latitude. Will Hardie commented: “I’m delighted to be involved in this competition, I love that Trailer Park supports people’s passion and vision to turn the humble caravan into wonderful and wacky creations – and where better to do this than at a festival where all can be entertained and inspired?”

A judging panel, led by designer, maker, artist and craftsman Will Hardie, will read proposals. He will be joined by Roz and Hugo Jellett, the creative directors of Trailer Park, and together they will choose the best ideas (or the best sounding creators) and work with them to bring the wacky

The deadline for entries is 30 March. All entries should be submitted online at form.jotformeu. com/90382107615352 – and for further questions email trailerparkcaravanchallenge@gmail.com

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Nature

COMMON WILDLIFE (and not so)

By Gemma Walker – Wildlife and Community Officer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust

f I were to say the word ‘common’, what would you think? The opposite of rare? Something that is found or done often? Shared, as in a common purpose? A simple word with so many different meanings.

For me, I think of common land, a piece of open land for public (and wildlife) use. Norfolk has a rich heritage of common land: more than 400 registered commons today cover more than 4,500 hectares and, in addition, many areas of historic common, which were never officially registered, add significantly to this total. Many large commons in Norfolk are already protected as nature reserves or SSSIs, including Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s own reserves at Syderstone Common and New Buckenham Common. But much less is known about the wildlife of our many smaller remnant commons. This spring and summer, as part of an exciting twoyear project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund called Wildlife in Common, Norfolk Wildlife Trust is asking for you to share your wildlife sightings of 20 different species of animal and plant on 60 commons across Norfolk. This is a great excuse to explore a common and help us map the distribution of some iconic species in Norfolk. In South Norfolk these include St. Clement’s Common in Rushall and Mill Green Common in Gissing, but you can find the full list on the NWT

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website. If your nearest common is not on the list, please do still join in! What to look out for By sharing your wildlife sightings you can help us map the distribution of 20 species (see pictures) across Norfolk commons, which will in turn help us build a picture of the wildlife value of these sometime overlooked sites. Our Norfolk commons are a rich mosaic of habitats. Many commons in South Norfolk have ponds, which have been present for hundreds of years. These ponds may be home to smooth newts and common frogs, which use the ponds to breed but will use rough areas of grassland around the pond to hunt for food. If you approach the pond quietly enough you may even be lucky enough to spot a grass snake,

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Nature

Common lizard

Common toad

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Female smooth newt

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Great crested newt

Green tiger beetle

Hedgehog

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Orchids

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also known as a water snake, using the pond to hunt for unsuspecting frogs. On the open grassland, look for cowslips in spring and orchids such as the green-winged orchid, in early summer. These plants are often associated with woodlands and ancient meadows, habitats often found on South Norfolk Commons. Listen out for the call of the bullfinch, which favours scrub and hedgerows, particularly where blackthorn is present – and if you are really lucky you may even hear the churr of a turtle dove. Visit a common at dusk and who knows, you may spot a barn owl quartering over rough grassland, or bats flying low

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over a hedgerow, or hunting over a dyke. This mix of habitats means that commons are home to a variety of different species, including some of conservation concern, and this is something you can help us discover. How do I submit my sightings? www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/20species Or phone us on 01603 625540 to request a recording card. Please help us put Norfolk’s common (and not so common) wildlife on the map!

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LET IT BE

Theatre

Theatre Royal Norwich — 17-22 June

et It Be, a celebration of the music of The Beatles, is returning to the stage in 2019 with a new tour direct from the West End which lands at Norwich Theatre Royal from 17-22 June.

most famous songs including I Want to Hold Your Hand, Day Tripper, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Penny Lane, A Day In The Life, Come Together, Get Back, and The End.

The acclaimed theatrical concert, which features an all-new Let It Be Part II reunion concert, proved a big hit with audiences and critics alike when it premiered last year. It has already been seen by more than two million people worldwide, including a run in the West End, two UK tours and a sell-out European Tour.

In a twist from the original Let It Be show, Act Two is set a decade after The Beatles went their separate ways. It gives fans a rare glimpse of how the Fab Four could have Come Together once again to perform, with an imagined reunion concert taking place on John Lennon’s 40th Birthday. This is the ultimate concert that never was, as the band reunites for one night only – just Imagine!

Its 2019 UK tour marks key anniversaries in Fab Four history. It’s 50 years since The Beatles took those infamous steps across the pedestrian crossing outside EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in London, which went on to become one of the most famous album covers of all time. It’s also the 50th anniversary of the group playing together for the final time, with a rooftop performance on top of the Apple Corps building in London’s Savile Row. For Let It Be, Beatles fans are invited to join John, Paul, George and Ringo for an unforgettable night of live music, with casting to be announced. Act One takes audiences through the early days of the band as they embarked on their musical journey and onwards to the heights of global Beatlemania. The historic Royal Variety Performance, Shea Stadium and those iconic Sergeant Pepper costumes all make an appearance. The first half of the evening features many of their

It features some of the best-loved material from Lennon, McCartney and Harrison’s solo careers, such as Starting Over, Band On The Run, Black Bird, Got My Mind Set On You, My Sweet Lord, Live and Let Die, and Imagine. Let It Be producer, Jeff Parry, said: “The original Let It Be was a hit with Beatles fans all over the world, but UK audiences’ reaction to the new show, and the new Act Two reunion concert that never was, has been nothing short of phenomenal. “It may be almost half a century since The Beatles split, but their popularity and their influence just seems to keep growing, with their incredible and creative catalogue of music attracting a whole new generation of fans. And with so many important anniversaries during 2019, we’re delighted to take this special show to thousands more Beatles fans here in the UK.”

Let It Be runs at Norwich Theatre Royal from Monday 17 - Saturday 22 June. Tickets priced from £10-£35.50. To book, log onto www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000.

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Stories from our region

‘HOSS’ TALES

The traditional language of the Suffolk horseman

“

ever have it said, boy, your Mother bred a jibber,” my Uncle Tickles exclaimed when he suggested that I, a young boy who was holding back, should climb up and help to load the wagon. A ‘jibber’ is a horse that is fainthearted and will not move.

Uncle Tickles would also come out with this at Christmas time when it was your turn to sing or join in charades or similar festive activities. In later years, when I took my intended over to see him, and she was not out of bed when he came in to breakfast, he said, “Where is that young gal? Cast in her box is she? I’ll soon bolt she”, as he crept up the stairs with Stumper Buck, his ferret, in his hand. The horsemen of the prior culture were committed to the spoken word, and having a natural mind developed from time immemorial they saw everything metaphorically and not just literally, as we do now. This resulted in everyone and every tool having a nickname; it put a measurement on things. Where I live in Suffolk the traditional greeting is “Can yer mother skin a rabbit?” And a bit further north, “Do yer far kip a dickey?” (Does your father keep a donkey?) and the answer, if you are smart enough, is “Yeah, and he want a fool to ride him. Can you come?” A local farewell, which I swap weekly with my Ipswich-born vicar, might be “Thank yer mother for the eggs.” Life revolved around the horse, and thus a whole language of proverbial horse culture developed. In the various

dictionaries of proverbs, idioms, slang, phrase, and fable, there are over 250 of the more common ones that are mostly still in use, but those I refer to here have come only from the local horseman’s spoken language. I will explain their meaning where necessary. They all pass on meaning that can be applied from the horse to life, and to me they are beautiful. “A hare and a mare go a year.” The gestation period of a mare is eleven months and a hare one month. “He who criticises the mare is the one who will buy her.” “Got his leg over.” This is a horse getting his leg over the ploughing traces. “He will lift your leg, that one,” meaning he will take advantage of you. “All of a white lather,” – like a horse, hot and sweating. If you could not remember your words when singing and had to start again, they would say: “T There’ss many a good horseman turned back in the field.” If you had not got your stetches (ridges) parallel during ploughing, and had to go back to finish them, this was known as “slipping a short one in.” Neil Lanham has collected stories from horsemen as he says: “for all his born days” and his website www.oraltraditions.co.uk gives information about the CDs and DVDs he has made of them, which are available via the site.

History

ST PETER’S BREWERY

St Peter South Elmham, Bungay

t Peter’s Hall stands just north of St Peter South Elmham Church and, standing quite alone in the fields, it immediately catches the eye with its striking pale stone walls, medieval windows and grand moat. Since 1996 the Hall has been home to the award-winning St Peter’s Brewery, who now brew their beer in 21st Century premises converted from old agricultural buildings.

St Peter’s Hall 19th Century sketch of courtyard façade

sing a jokey song about the Pope; a blasphemous offence at the time. Someone shopped them and masons Doubleday, John Collet, William Angell, Thomas Blithe and Peter Vyknell were hauled off to the Ecclesiastical Court. Sadly we don’t know the outcome. St Peter’s Hall

The Tasburgh family built the original farmhouse back in the 13th Century, and it’s now the oldest westerly part of the L-shaped building. The newer, grander 16th Century wing is mainly of Caen stone, but also partly brick, rendered with flint rubble and render over timber framing.

The building also boasts a fine series of medieval 3-light stone traceried windows, clearly not in their original home, but added for style and show later. In fact the ‘new’ 16th Century wing was built from ‘architectural salvage’ from the nearby Flixton Nunnery, which was built of magnificent stone quarried in Caen, Normandy, brought across the sea in huge blocks and probably ferried up the Waveney. Flixton Nunnery was dispossessed by Cardinal Wolsey in 1535-6 to fund his colleges at Ipswich and Oxford. But Wolsey’s disgrace brought Flixton Priory into Henry Vlll’s hands, who leased it to Richard Warton for £19. 16s. 2d. per annum. It was soon bought by wealthy John Tasburgh, who used the best stone to beautify his own mansion, St Peter’s Hall, starting the renovations in 1538. In 1539 the masons were celebrating their work with a midsummer party in the great hall, no doubt with copious ale, when Richard Doubleday began to

The front facade incorporates a stone with the martyrdom wheel of St. Catherine, from the arms of the Flixton nuns. There is a tombstone in the entrance porch, several scratch dials on the exterior, 17th Century graffiti on the front and left side of the fireplace, a magnificent solar upstairs and a lovely small ‘chapel’ above the front porch — a ‘muniment room’ where the family kept their bible and important deeds.

Arms of Flixton Priory, showing a Catherine wheel and the Catherine wheel stone at St Peter’s.

St Peter’s Brewery is open to visitors for Brewery Tours at weekends in summer. The visitors’ shop stocks the full range of St. Peter’s beers and The Hall itself is available to hire. For more info go to www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk Elaine Murphy’s latest book, Monks Hall, The History of a Waveney Valley Manor is available at www. poppyland.co.uk, at local bookshops and on Amazon.co.uk.

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Art

NATIONAL HANDMADE DAY 7 April 2019

Art writer Kristy Cambell looks at the growing trend for ethical art and fashion in East Anglia

ational Handmade Day was founded by family business From Scratch Farm, in 2018. The new annual celebration commemorates the hard graft, passion, and craftsmanship at the heart of small brands and businesses around the globe. From Scratch Farm is based in Texas, USA, working to “provide products that care for you and your home, made from the most natural and simple ingredients”. With a focus on produce for self-care and well-being, the theme of ‘health’ drives this small business. Independent makers, creators, and inventors gift us with innovative, high quality output all year round; these might take the form of beauty products, artworks, ceramics, knitting, shoe making, calligraphy, or sewing. This artistry needs throwing in to the spotlight, so how can we support it? Do a little research – shop locally, source quality, and ask around.

A little closer to home, we have the pleasure of stepping inside the studio with Caitlín Law (Soodle Street Illustration) and GMMRS. These two East Anglian based makers tell us a little about how they came to establish their practices, what drives them, and their ties to Norfolk and Suffolk. Caitlín is a University of East Anglia graduate, where she completed a Masters degree in History of Art in 2012. Soodle Street’s handmade, ecoconscious illustration brand explores the themes of architecture, travel, cultural identity, wanderlust and memory; these collages taking the form of original artwork, digital prints, greetings cards, postcards, tea towels and wedding stationery. Gathering discarded magazines, ruined books and unwanted paper, Caitlín breathes new life in to the imagery through her carefully realised collages. Drawing on a slightly anatomical process, this practice takes samples of recycled paperwork to structure the body of her artworks; the assortment of materials compiled much like an archive, infuse a feeling and sense of a place. An interest in 20th Century architecture, time, place and culture, lead

Art this practice towards the study of plans, blue prints and sketches. These passions were evident in Soodle Street’s first solo exhibition titled ‘The Norwich Illustrated Pub Crawl’ in 2017. “I enjoyed sparking people’s love of their local pub at a time where our pubs need our support the most.” The artworks were inspired by the community, for the community. Engaging with the inhabitants of Norwich has been encouraging for this independent brand, allowing it to build a creative identity that people can both relate to and enjoy aesthetically. Caitlín says that Norwich has a “wonderful and supportive creative scene”, one in which her brand looks to continue designing architectural portraits of, and hosting workshops in. Also handmade in Norwich is GMMRS’s retro inspired ethical knitwear. These fun and bold designs are encouraging more and more fashionistas to shop ‘slow and sustainable’ instead. This movement aims to support small businesses, and seeks to enforce change in the fast-fashion (mass-market retailers) industry. Independent brands need a platform too, which is why we are pleased to hear that GMMRS is now stocked on Ohh Deer’s web shop. It is visible through the accomplishments thus far that GMMRS has carried an ambitious and positive attitude through her creative journey along with her 1980s domestic knitting machine. Looking holistically at this practice, quality and care are certainly at the forefront of the process; with a desire to share an appreciation for the craft. “Seeing my products on a site that I’d admired for years was incredible and so gratifying.” The abstract patterns and compositions of colour within these garments transmit fresh, playful energy. GMMRS talks about how important it is to have an inspiring workplace to pad out with yarn, where she can experiment with styles and methods, allowing her practice to improve and evolve all the time. This practice really does showcase what perseverance can do. We certainly have high hopes for more collaborations and efficient equipment for the future of GMMRS. 2019 will play host to craft and trade fairs all over the country, in which we hope to follow our two feature makers from this issue. Soodle Street is taking part in the Wildfire Gallery pop-up project showcasing across the UK in different cities, with another solo exhibition in September, titled ‘The Illustrated

Triangle’ at The Corn Hall in Diss. GMMRS can be located online, in Norwich, and at Ohh Deer, see details below. Norfolk and Suffolk have been granted a wealth of creative hubs, universities, colleges, groups, centres, and funded projects over the years, and it is so fantastic to see the partnerships and events that emerge because of these creative communities. If you are considering taking up a craft or pursuing a practical hobby, be sure to source yourself some local inspiration, ask questions, and encourage one another. Kristy Campbell (artist & writer) www.axisweb.org/p/kristycamp kristycamp17@gmail.com GMMRS instagram: gmmrs web: gmmrs.com Soodle Street instagram: soodlestreet_illustration web: soodlestreet.co.uk From Scratch Farm www.fromscratchfarm.com

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Business

BE YOUR own boss IN 2019

e your own boss!’ is a statement everyone has come across. You read it, hear it and see this declaration online – but is it worth considering as a viable alternative to working for someone else? Of course, being employed has its advantages – a certain amount of stability, usually a regular income and fixed holiday, but even then more people are weighing up whether being self-employed would give them the flexibility they yearn for, and additional prospects. Adam Steggles set up Refined Blinds in 2018 having had 19 years’ experience in the window blind industry. The business supplies many types of made-to-measure blinds including vertical, roller, Roman, perfect fit, Velux and wood Venetian. Roller and vertical blinds are manufactured to meet clients’ specific requirements on-site at Adam’s showroom and workshop. Refined Blinds also has fabulous fabric collections for customers to choose from.

my eyes and thoughts to areas I hadn’t considered, as well as furthering and refining the ideas I had already conceived and was putting into practice.” “All in all, it has been a truly enjoyable and educational experience, one which has positively influenced and enhanced my ideas and plans for my business going forward.” Leanne Castle of MENTA said, “We have noticed an increase in the number of people deciding to be their own boss. Yes, there are downsides, but if a business idea is researched thoroughly and there is a good marketing strategy planned then a business can really thrive and flourish.” Established in 1984 MENTA provides affordable, cost effective business advice, business skills masterclasses and bespoke mentoring for established businesses. The fully funded Start Right workshops are available to anyone based in Norfolk or Suffolk who wants to start a business or has done so in the last 12 months.

He commented: “I set up the business, which is based just outside Bury St Edmunds, to provide a friendly, no pressure approach to buying blinds. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and the one-to-one personal service we provide. We want to ensure our customers have the best window blind solution and can take their time to browse the wide range of fabrics available, from classic to contemporary.” Adam attended MENTA’s free ‘Start Right’ workshops led by expert trainers, who helped him explore the business world, legal structures, marketing and bookkeeping. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund the three, free, four-hour Start Right sessions are held on a regular basis by MENTA in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Beccles, North Walsham, Norwich and Dereham. He said, “I found the MENTA Start Right workshops invaluable for my new business, despite my initial reluctance to attend courses. But my scepticism was completely unfounded; the tutors were friendly, informative and continue to be a source of knowledge and support. The workshops opened

For more information about dates of workshops in your area, go to www.menta.org.uk and the ‘start up’ tab, or call 01284 760206. To find out more about Refined Blinds visit www.refinedblinds.co.uk

South Lopham

THE Eccentric Old Couple WHO LIVED AT ‘THE ROSARY’ SOUTH LOPHAM

by Maggy Chapman

harlotte Maria (Lottie) Keeble lived for the whole of her 84 years at The Rosary South Lopham, where her parents ran the village general store and post office until my grandfather opened a similar shop – The Stores – and they retired. My mother, who grew up at The Stores and was born in 1913, was fascinated by the village eccentrics who visited the shop, in particular the Keebles who greatly — and unwittingly — amused her with their quaint ways and she loved telling me about them. Charlotte, a bouncy little woman, who was the organist at South Lopham church for 54 years — married Charles Keeble, the church clerk, who in his working life had been a ‘shop walker’ in a draper’s shop. They had no children.

Lottie, short and tubby, had never bothered with fashion, all her teeth were broken off leaving brown stubs and her grey hair, pulled up in a bun, had never in its life been cut. Her great loves were cats and food and she would smack her lips with relish when telling what she had eaten for lunch. As her mother had run a private school (charging pupils sixpence a week) and was also a piano teacher, Lottie was well educated, and it was said the standard of education in her mother’s school was

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higher than other local schools of their day. Charles always wore white plimsolls, a bowler hat and navy suit and stood every Sunday beside the vicar at church services proudly droning out the “Amens” with vigour. When he retired and was told his successor would not be as good, his reply was “It’s only because he can’t say the Amens like I can!” He always spoke very slowly, whereas excitable Lottie ‘jabbered’ and when they were together she would insist on doing all the talking saying: “Be quiet Charles, let me talk.” Their home, inherited from Lottie’s parents, remained totally Victorian, the old shop used as an entrance hall with the counters covered by aspidistras and ferns. In their sitting room they had a table full of tiny ornaments, mostly animals, and Lottie would say: “My dear, I can’t be bothered to dust them so I blow on them.” Having just one solitary light they lived almost in darkness and Lottie loved the idea that the old house was haunted and would say: “My dear, you should hear that old oak chest creak in the night.” She would lend my mother, a young girl, books of frightening ghost stories, which she was afraid to read. After Charles died Lottie kept his armchair by the

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South Lopham fire and happily claimed she saw him sitting there. Their lovely old-world, over-grown garden had a delightful maze among the trees and bushes, which delighted the local children. To my mother, as a child, the over-furnished, dark and spooky house with its tangled garden and maze and its quaint old their ffashioned hi d residents id t with ith th i peculiar li ways was eerily mysterious and exciting. Charles delighted in local gossip and would go to my grandparent’s shop at nine every morning for tobacco but, more importantly, to learn if there was any ‘news’ and if my mother was in the shop she would delight in embroidering a tale to ‘get him going.’ He particularly liked news of the rector and his family – especially if there was a row at the vicarage, and any information on ‘upperclass’ residents of the village always greatly excited him.

Relatives had turned up unexpectedly and she needed cakes. “It’s all very well for you to laugh, great fat things all sitting round there,” she called over her shoulder as she hurried away with the best the shop could offer. Calling in next day she happily told my aunt: “My dear, they won’t come again, I’ve told them I’I’ve lleft ft everything thi to t th h h!” the church!” If Lottie received a card not written on she would rush to the shop, which was also the Post Office, with delight and post it off to someone else and say: “Oh my dear, I’ve had an Easter card not written on – I’m going to send it to the doctor.” Hopefully it was not the doctor who had sent it to her!

He would say to my aunt who ran the shop: “Gosh Bessie, gosh, I shall have to rush home and tell the missus,” as he ran out the door to scurry up the road home in his white plimsolls to Lottie. She would be eagerly waiting to hear her husband’s breathless account of the latest village gossip, which they no doubt mulled over and over in great detail, probably for the rest of the day. One Sunday afternoon there was frantic knocking on the house door of The Stores – Lottie, in a state of panic.

When my parents married in 1937, a difficult situation arose as my father had a great friend who was a professional organist and dearly wanted to play for the wedding. Lottie was adamant that she would be playing her organ for the bride, having known her since a baby and won the day, but my father’s friend had to sit through the service extremely frustrated knowing he could have brought far more enchantment to the occasion than the odd little old lady. Charles died in Thetford Union – (workhouse) in his 70s and Lottie went to live with his niece, their only relative, until she died aged 84 in 1944. Do lovely old characters such as these still exist in villages today? Sadly, I think not.

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History

BUNGAY BITESIZE

A Retrospect – 1894 9 94 re Bun Local Historian Christopher Reeve steps back in time to explore Bungay’s history

hort’s Bungay Almanack was published annually in the late Victorian period, by Short’s printing and stationery business in the Market Place. The Almanack comprised 150 pages of articles, illustrations and adverts, a trade directory, humorous cartoons, a calendar of the year listing important events, and a lengthy section of new books and periodicals which could be purchased from Short’s shop. All good value for just one penny! It also included an introductory Retrospect, detailing events in the town in the previous year. 1894 is a typical example, the editor commenting that nothing of excitement happened – “readers must at once banish from their minds the idea of any thrilling escapades or memorable deeds”. But from a modern day perspective, there is much to fascinate, town life having changed quite a bit in the past 125 years. The new year started with a ball at the Three Tuns, organised by the Dancing Class. In February, Holy Trinity Church Room provided an entertainment for “the benefit of the poorer class of parishioners”, and in March the “honour of the town was ably upheld by a team of Bagatelle players from the Reading Room, who fairly beat the team furnished by Harleston”. A variety of church activities are described, and 1 May was – “all life and vivacity, in our ancient streets were crowds of holidaymakers and rows of vehicles, and any little urchin with his mouth full of sticky rock could inform you that Bungay Races was come round once again”. In the same month, an old lady – “earned 14 days’ imprisonment by taking off her boots and smashing plate

glass windows for the edificattion n off the lo oafers at Olland Street corner”. The Ditchingham silk mill closed due to a decline in trade. Mr. Frederick Smith was elected Town Reeve for a second period of office, because he was presenting his plans for building eight almshouses in Outney Road, at a cost of £1,400. Cycling had by this time become a popular means of travel and exercise, and young male cyclists were much in evidence during sunny weather in April. In June, a team from London passed through the town en route to Yarmouth, and a triumphal arch was erected on bicycles by members of the Bungay Athletics Club. The Almanack contains adverts for bikes sold at R. Charlish’s premises in Broad Street, stating that ladies can be taught cycling, lessons costing 7s. 6d, and if a machine is purchased the cost of lessons will be deducted from the price. It’s a sad reflection on town life today, that the number of cyclists, including elderly people, has declined greatly due to the increase and speed of motor traffic.

Fostering

CAN YOU HELP A CHILD FULFIL THEIR true potential?

re you the kind of individual who can help care for a child that isn’t their own? Someone who can put a roof over their heads, food on their plates, and hope in their hearts?

There are hundreds of children seeking a foster home in Norfolk. All of them need someone they can talk to and trust, someone who appreciates them as individuals and is prepared to celebrate their achievements and successes with them. Our Foster Carer Ambassadors can help you step up The fact is, you don’t need a special skill set to become an exceptional foster carer. What you will

need are qualities such as patience, understanding and, let’s be honest, a sense of humour. When it comes to age or status or whether you’re retired or working you could still foster. Whatever your walk of life, our team of Foster Carer Ambassadors can help you step up and lead you through the process. Our Skills to Foster training programme will provide you with all the need-toknow essentials, while your recruiting social worker will always be on hand to help, advise and offer invaluable pearls of wisdom. Becoming a foster carer often turns out to be just as re ewarding for you as it is for a child. In most insta ances, it’s you who holds the key to unlocking a chiild’s true potential and watching them mature and blossom is a life-changing, and life-affirming, expe erience. Tracy y Collins, Interim Head of Fostering of Norfolk Coun nty Council’s Fostering Service, said: “The child dren may be feeling lost, upset, angry, confused or sa ad. They need a home and an adult who will care for them – and bring some joy into their lives. Our foster carers often tell us that becoming a fosster carer has been the most rewarding expe erience of their lives and they have lots of inspiring fostering stories to share.”

For more information about becoming a foster carer call 01603 306649, or visit the Norfolk Fostering Services Facebook page.

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Health

LOOKING TO FEED YOUR BONES?

You may want to avoid these 6 surprising foods!

our bones rely on a healthy balance of nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, which is why you are often advised to increase your intake of certain leafy green vegetables, seeds, nuts and other bone-boosting foods!

But similar to oxalate, phytates can bind to certain minerals, such as zinc and calcium, which may hinder their absorption. As part of a balanced diet, there’s nothing wrong with consuming beans. They’re loaded with health benefits and problems only usually arise if they are consumed in excess.

However, certain foods can deplete your calcium stores, so let’s look at six surprising foods that can affect your intake of calcium.

Those on restricted diets such as vegetarians or vegans may need to keep an eye on this, but, you can reduce the phytate level in beans by soaking them in water for a few hours and then cooking them!

1 – Spinach has a high content of calcium but, since it also contains oxalate, this calcium is not readily absorbed by the body. The good news is that oxalate only affects how the calcium in spinach is absorbed. If you eat spinach alongside another calcium-rich food, such as kale, the calcium content in kale would not be affected or inhibited. Spinach isn’t just a good source of calcium, it also contains other bone-boosting minerals like magnesium. So if you are going to eat spinach, make sure you do so alongside other calcium-rich foods, such as oily fish, broccoli or seeds. 2 – Caffeine acts as a stimulant to increase your alertness so you feel more awake. But if your caffeine intake is high, not only will this affect your absorption of certain minerals throughout the day, it can also hinder your sleep at night! If you really can’t get through your day without a cuppa, try to keep your intake to the morning – this should help to ensure that your sleep patterns won’t be disturbed. 3 – Legumes are a food group that includes a wide range of beans. They contain a host of nutrients, but they also contain high levels of phytates; antioxidant compounds which are useful when it comes to comb battting free-rad dicall molleculles — a common culprit in premature ageing.

4 – Fizzy drinks are fine In moderation, and as the occasional treat, but many of us consume these on a daily basis. Most fizzy drinks contain phosphoric acid; Coca-Cola is the worst offender, containing not only higher levels of phosphoric acid, but also caffeine! It’s thought that phosphoric acid can, in large enough quantities, leech the calcium from your bones. 5 – Salty foods. When your kidneys try to flush the excess sodium from your body, it excretes calcium at the same time. The more salt you consume, the more calcium gets flushed from your body, weakening the integrity of your bones. 6 – Wheat bran is great for kick-starting your day, and a high fibre wheat bran breakfast cereal probably seems like one of the healthier choices. Wheat bran is high in fibre to support your digestive system, and it usually contains a decent amount of energy-boosting B vitamins too! However, like legumes, wheat bran is also high in phytates. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 100% wheat bran appears to reduce the absorption of calcium in other foods eaten alongside it.

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Health

WHEN nature NEEDS A HELPING HAND

gave up reading ‘women’s magazines’ a long time ago when I realised it was basically the same content re-circulated. When platforms come into fashion for the third time in your life, you know it’s time to take up gardening. But sometimes you see a trend that strikes a chord and when it’s ‘the’ trend being promoted by every designer on the catwalk, you know you’re going to see it everywhere for the next season. London Fashion Week 2019 was all about nude. up, or lack of it. Natural. At least with the make-u Every designer had their girrls on the catwalk with a face as nature intended, if you can count liberal amounts of foundation, concealer and brightener as ba arefaced. Beautiful skin never goes out of style, but this season it was a truly glowing, natural look — as if models had just returned from a facial — that was trending g backstage.

Of course, all this is very fine for the postpubescent models hired for the shows. Their underlying structure of taut muscle and firm skin is very forgiving when attempting natural beauty, regardless of a spot or two. But for those of us with more advanced years, if the scaffolding is failing any amount of cosmetic decoration isn’t going to show us off at our best. That’s why there is a tipping point at some time, when our skincare is equal to or greater than the value of make up. Today’s women in their 50s and over are blessed with an array of products that have come from years of research and development of both ingredients and machine technology. That’s why I never use the ‘p’ word. Serious skincare is not about pampering it’s about skin health and self-confidence. It’s about spotting the blemish that needs a dermatologist. It is about correcting and protecting for the future. Please don’t think it’s vanity to treat your rosacea, or sun spots. If your car developed rust you wouldn’t ignore it would you? Why are we so puritanical about treating our skin unless it’s with prescription drugs? Treat it well, tend it like it was a garden and you will see it blossom and bloom regardless of age. Just like nature intended. Geraldine Walters @skinprof_norfolk www.facebook.com/geraldinewaltersadvancedskincare

Diss & Harleston

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Recipe

Serves

CREAM OF ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH POACHED EGG INGREDIENTS

2 bundles British asparagus, trimmed 1 leek, washed and trimmed 50g Butter 400ml vegetable or chicken stock 1 tbsp double cream 1 tbsp olive oil 4 medium eggs, poached

METHOD 01. Cut the asparagus into 3cm lengths. Reserve the tips and set aside. Halve the leek lengthways and cut into 1 cm pieces. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the leek and asparagus. Sauté for 3 minutes, until the vegetables are starting to soften. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, until the asparagus is soft and cooked through. 02. Blend the soup in a food processor or with a hand blender, until smooth. Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper and return to the pan. Add the double cream and warm through. 03. Meanwhile, toss the asparagus tips in the olive oil, and heat a ridged griddle pan. Griddle the asparagus for 2 minutes. Serve the soup in warmed soup bowls, topping each bowl with a lightly poached egg and some asparagus tips.

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Money

FOR A CHEAPER PERSONAL LOAN,

give big banks the elbow!

ven though the bank base rate is just 0.75% some are still charging interest at a staggering 20% plus when it comes to personal loans of less than £5,000.

account, it works the same as a personal loan. The interest rate is 4.9% APR for any transactions made in the first 60 days and remains one of the cheapest and most flexible ways to borrow.

There’s no shortage of providers offering personal loan deals, but the problem is that many lenders tend to focus their marketing efforts on people who want to borrow larger sums.

The potential cost savings on a loan of £3,000 with the low rate options mentioned here could save you more than £20 per month, so don’t automatically assume your existing bank will offer the best option, because that’s rarely the case. It’s definitely worth spending 10 or 15 minutes to shop around for the lowest rate.

At least half a dozen lenders are currently advertising record low interest rates of less than 3% APR, but only for larger amounts, say £7,500 and above. For lower value loans it’s a very different picture, with many lenders charging double digit rates on a £4,000 advance, and TSB and Lloyds Bank are among the most expensive at 23.6% APR and 25.3% APR respectively.

There are some much cheaper options than high street banks out there, and by taking advantage of deals from lesser known lenders you could literally be quids in when it comes to the amount of interest you’ll save.

There are cheaper options available, but my research shows you’d do well to give the big banks the elbow if you want the best deals. There are three borrowing options that stand out if you want to borrow £5,000 or less, as follows: Zopa, the first peer to peer lender in the UK; and RateSetter, one of the fastest growing lenders in the peer to peer market. Both offer some of the best borrowing rates at 7.7% APR and 9.9% APR respectively for a £3,000 loan ov ver 3 years.

By Andrew Hagger, Independent personal finance analyst from www.moneycomms.co.uk

Just because you’re not familiar with the names, it doesn’t mean you should discount them – the peer to peer market has established itself ass a credible alternative to the big bank ks over the last decade – and the low interest rates are much better than you’ll find on the high street. w Rate credit Another option to consider is the Low card from MBNA. This isn’t strictly a personal loan, but there’s nothing to stop you using g the card in the same way you would a loan, beca ause it allows you to transfer money from the card d into your bank account with no fee. If you transfer your balance to the MBNA card and set up a monthly standing order from your current

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Wymondham

WYMONDHAM remembers

ymondham Heritage Museum opens on Monday 4 March and there are some fascinating exhibitions on show. New for this season is a major display charting the history of the town’s firefighters. Their story begins on 10 June 1615, when two fires started in the town, in Vicar and Middleton Streets. The timber-framed, thatched houses were soon engulfed in flames and the Market Cross was reduced to a smouldering ruin. The fires were started by three travellers and a local accomplice; they were caught and eventually hanged at Norwich Castle. The Great Fire of Wymondham had a profound effect on the town and exposed the lack of organised firefighting, so equipment was purchased and placed in various locations. In 1780 a fire engine and a manual wheeled pump were bought, and in 1882 a volunteer fire brigade was formed, with a fire station established in Market Street in 1884. At the exhibition you will be able to see artefacts and ephemera from the fire service, plus photographs of the men who fought the fires over the centuries,

and the aftermath of blazes including the fire at H Semmence & Son in 1914. There will also be previously unpublished photographs of the old Market Street fire station, which remained the headquarters until the new station was opened on London Road in 1967. Visitors can also see a number of other exhibitions, including ‘Wymondham Women in World War One’, which has been retained for another year; the popular ‘Lost Pubs’ display, which has been revamped; and the permanent Robert Kett display. It’s 470 years since Kett led the rebellion against rich robber barons who had stolen the common land, leaving the peasants to starve. Wymondham Heritage Museum is open from March 4 to November 9. For more information go to wymondhamheritagemuseum.co.uk

Can you help? We need volunteers to be stewards and to serve in the tearoom, so if you can spare as little as three hours a month, email: whm.info@wymondhamheritagemuseum.co.uk

DO YOU HAVE A SPARE ROOM TO RENT? ou d ou bene it rom ome e tra income

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Solo Housing are a registered charity based in Diss. We have been successfully finding housing solutions for people aged 18-65 since 1985. Through our lodgings scheme we help single people in need of assistance to find accommodation in the form of renting a room in someone’s home. We are looking for people who would like to rent out their spare room in their home or even if you have a studio flat/bedsit to let. We meet with all parties and match the requirements of both and take away some of the uncertainty of finding the right lodger for your circumstances. This is a completely free service as we are funded by the Local Authorities. We are particularly in need of people that have a spare room to rent out in Diss and all surrounding areas. This is a completely free service as we are a not for profit organisation. For more no obligation information, please call 07760 166139 or call 01379 640250.

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Books

Regional Reads

THIS ISSUE WE L VE GEORGE ROBERTS MP: A LIFE THAT ‘DID DIFFERENT’ Frank Meeres Poppyland 9781909796430 £10.95

View our region from a different perspective with this fascinating selection of local titles from Holly Ainley of Jarrolds’ Book Department

TIME SONG

Searching for Doggerland Julia Blackburn 9781911214205 Jonathan Cape £25.00 Following her last book, Threads, a study of Sheringham-born fishermanturned-artist John Craske, Julia Blackburn investigates an area of the country that once connected the east coast of England with mainland Europe until it was finally submerged by rising sea levels around 5000 BC. Studying its fossil record, as well as human artefacts, Julia explores the lives of the people who lived there, introducing readers to the palaeontologists, archaeologists, fishermen and fellow Doggerland enthusiasts she meets along the way.

This book brings to life the dramatic story of ‘Georgie’ Roberts, one of Norfolk’s most fascinating characters. The first Labour party Member of Parliament in East Anglia, he rose to become the party’s Chief Whip and served in wartime governments under David Lloyd George. He was also a cabinet minister, a privy councillor, Minister of Labour and Minister of Food. After the war he stood for Norwich as an Independent candidate – and won, finishing his journey as a Conservative MP.

BATHING BEAUTIES, KNOBBLY KNEES AND MUSIC BY THE SEA: THE MARINA, GREAT YARMOUTH 1937-1979

Colin Miller Poppyland 9781909796584 £10.95

The fortunes of the Marina during its 43year existence mirror closely those of Great Yarmouth as a premier UK seaside holiday resort. In this book, the author traces the rise and fall of the theatre, the rationale and politics behind its creation and ultimate demise, and the development of its unique and innovative style of entertainment. It also looks at the Marina’s involvement in seaside bathing beauty competitions, post-war Battle of Britain celebrations, fundraising carnivals and the attempted formation of a seaside municipal orchestra.

THE STORY OF THE FENS

Frank Meeres The History Press 18th March 2019 9781860776977 £18.99 Covering parts of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, the Fens is the largest plain in the British Isles, covering an area of nearly three-quarters of a million acres, and it has more miles of navigable waterways than anywhere else in the UK. Mammoth drainage schemes in the 17th and 18th centuries changed the landscape forever, creating the area so loved today. Insightful, entertaining and full of rich incident – a fascinating story.

STOP PRESS very limited space left in the

LOCAL DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTANTS Anthony James Brice KJ Accountancy Newman and Co Accountants Tax Assist Accountants ANIMAL SERVICES Norfolk Dog Training Uplands Way Vets Ltd ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING Andrew P R Love Keith Day Architects ARTS & CRAFTS Stained Glass by Elaine Alexandra Susan’s Work Basket BATHROOMS AHM Installations Supreme Bathrooms & Kitchens BUILDERS, HANDYMEN & SUPPLIERS Aspect Group Services Dem Strip NSH Developments Ltd The Floor Sanding Co BUSINESS SERVICES Menta CARE & MOBILITY All Hallows Nursing Home Culrose Residential Care Home First Choice Home Care Harleston Independent Lives Oaklands Purely Care CARPENTERS & JOINERS R B Joinery CARPETS & FLOORING Eye Flooring CARS, CARAVANS & GARAGES Caravan & Trailer Services Glenn Parker YSJ Motor Classics CHARITY Waveney Food Bank CHIMNEY SWEEPS Anglia Chimney Sweeps CLEANING Crystal Clean Linda’s Cleaning Services

34 90 90 90 46 40 32 53 49 40 84 64

39 53 32 37 90 84 77 86 85 80 85 64 3 61 61 10 10 64 46 56

Maid2Clean(Suffolk) Ltd 40 Premier Conservatory Valeting 37 COMPUTER, WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES Bailiwick IT Ltd 64 Centiflex 64 Philippa Green Web Design 53 CURTAINS, BLINDS & SHUTTERS Dianne Kemp Interiors 9 Garnet House Drapes 42 DAYS OUT, TRAVEL & HOLIDAYS Eastons Holidays 16 Dogs Trust Fun Day 14 Galloway Coach Travel Ltd 13 Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery 17 Perrenial 38 Redwings Horse Sanctuary 14 Simonds 12 Suffolk County Council 14 DENTISTS & DENTURES Simply Smile Netherton Ltd 95 ELECTRICIANS Dave Ramstead Electrician 34 Harling Electrical 60 FOSTERING Norfolk County Council Fostering 57 FUEL MERCHANTS Diss Firewood 42 FUNERALS Rosedale Funeral Home 86 Susan Whymark Funeral Services 78 GARAGE DOORS, GATES, SHUTTERS & AWNINGS Chapel Doors Ltd 29 Cooks Blinds & Shutters Ltd 58 GARDEN SERVICES A. Waterfield 34 Bespoke Outdoor Spaces 4 Betts of Brandon 49 Cabinville 29 Chloe Tatum Gardening Services 42 Diss Garden Centre Ltd 24 Eclipse Gardening 44 Eye Gardens 45 Foundry Nurseries Ltd 42 Gard n Cox Garden Care 46 Hollyoake Landscapes Ltd 34

Janina Jones Gardens 42 JDMA Paving & Landscaping 66 Lake and Pond Aquatics 46 Noble Paving East Anglia 27 P.D. Garden Services 45 R G Garden Offices 69 Resin Drives 2 Resin-Pave 33 The Garden Enclosure 43 Tree Fellas 53 Wymondham Garden Centre 24 GROUNDWORKS, DRAINAGE & SEPTIC TANKS Rory J Holbrook Ltd 53 HEALTH & BEAUTY Cambridge Diet with John Howard 17 Coltishall Clinic Ltd 84 Diss & Harleston Chiropody 81 Geraldine Walters 80 Jill Robinson Psychological Therapy 56 Lucy Keil Foot Health Practitioner 81 Nicola Clarke Foot Health Practitioner78 HEALTHCARE Contact Care Lifelines 78 IRONING SERVICES Ironed4U 40 Pressed-to-Go 64 JOBS Contract Personnel Ltd 88 Hales Group Ltd 88 Home Cleaning Vacancies 27 Solo Housing 89 Voyage Care 86 KITCHENS Kitchen Sense of Harleston 46 Supreme Bathrooms & Kitchens 64 Voyager Kitchens 72 OPTICIANS Cecil Amey Ltd 80 Specs Factory 82 PEST CONTROL Carole Mole Catcher 44 PLUMBING, HEATING, BOILERS & DRAINAGE Andy’s Oil Boiler Service 50 Barnard’s Heating & Plumbing 50 Else Heating & Plumbing 50

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. Magazine, adverts, design, layout and content Copyright © Village People Magazines Ltd. 2008-2019

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Crossword

CROSSWORD Exercise your brain cells

CLUES ACROSS

CLUES DOWN

Irritate by discord - goes with a jingle (6)

Tearful and effusive stage of drunkenness (7)

Great sounds of noise and confusion (6)

Lecherous glance of a suggestive nature (4)

Run the engine but not the car (4)

Guard that could protect the ears (8)

Clever, ingenious and possibly even quaint (4)

Out of this very early time came monsters beyond imagination (8)

13 Cover with stone slabs (4)

Chaplain - possibly of military origin (5)

14 System of chronology reckoning from a noteworthy event (3)

12 Competition where the loser in each round is discarded (8)

16 North-west African Muslim (4)

13 Complete survey or presentation of a subject (8)

17 If this admiral gets half a hold, you may have to submit (6)

15 Twisting of one end while the other remains in place (7)

19 Unconventional way into an organisation (4, 4)

18 One went round the world in eighty days with his master (5)

10 “One is one and all alone and” thus long “shall be so” (8) 11 Playfully malicious or downright very bad (6)

21 Ticket that lets you get in (4) 22 Modest, reserved and coy (6) 23 Said to bring the owner luck (6)

20 Beasts of the yoke (4) 21 Step around a destructive animal force (4)

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1) Minor, 4) Peckish, 4) Marquee, 9) Befog, 10) Need, 11) Bacteria, 13) Amok, 14) Agio, 16) Trailing, 17) Mini, 20) Using, 21) Goulash, 22) Haggler, 23) Every. DOWN: 1) Moment of Truth, 2) Nerve, 3) Roux, 4) Prewar, 5) Cabotage, 6) Inferno, 7) High and mighty, 12) Not legal, 13) Amazing, 15) Onager, 18) Image, 19) Cute

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Dr Adam Stacey BDS (Lond), DPDS (Brist). Adam has 23 years’ General Dentistry experience, with a post graduate qualiﬁcation. Adam has an interest in Forensic Odontology and Advanced Restorative Dentistry. Dr Luca Di Alberti DDS (hons) 1994, PhD, Dip Spec Oral Surg Luca comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in dentistry. For the last 20+ years he has successfully been placing implants in the UK and Italy, lectured in several universities on Implantology and Piezosurgery, runs annual courses in Basic and Advanced Implantology. He is also a founder member and active member of the International Academy of Piezosurgery. Dalia Odeh BSc, MSc, MFDS (RCS, Eng) Dalia qualiﬁed in 1997, focuses on general dentistry and is an advocate for Biomimetics in Dentistry and restoring teeth to their natural form. Dalia’s aim is to improve a patient’s smile, both functionally and cosmetically.