Village People Norfolk / Suffolk border edition – February & March 2021 (Early Spring) by Village People Magazines Ltd

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LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Local walk around Hethersett & Great Melton BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO KOMBUCHA

Recipe for Apricot & Almond Cake

Memories of Stuston & Thrandeston The genius of worms, for great compost Vegan lime cheesecake recipe

Norfolk/Suffolk Border Edition - February / March 2021

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Contents

Out & About 8

Good news from our region

oetry orner yta yndley from Hockering

18 Walking for health around Hethersett

Great Melton

Memories of Stuston hrandeston

raft crochet is the new cool

63 Health how to put a spring

40 Norfolk Wildlife rust help

in your step

Skin gut care with Geraldine Walters

efreshing Waters talks with the founder of Samara’s Aid Appeal

hedgehogs this spring

43 W N 4 4

M S voucher

ashion think pink Art new life and the hope of spring

3 Gospel from he Saints 4

alcon Meadow launches their art competition

ostering make a difference to a young life

Sho n 26 & eaut Home & Gar en 20

Health

ungay itesi e Saint Valentine’s ay

n your plot growing strong this spring

co swaps a clean start with a Scrubby

obs Mone & us ness 71 Smart Money Secrets responsible investment post covid

How to avoid neighbour disputes

ind a local business or service in our directory

xercise your brain cells with our crossword

23 Garden ottings from he Garden nclosure

ecycling cultivating compost

eginner’s guide to kombucha

ecipe for apricot cake

almond

31 Vegan recipe for lime cheesecake

anine communication with ulia ollins

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Welcome ’d like to start by giving a G w welcome to local financial expert M Michael uale, who has taken over he reins of our financial editorial. th We’ll meet again - the VP team in 2019 He H kicks off by giving us some great advice about how the investment community can maximise the environmental positives that have come out of ovid.

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t’s been great to see how local businesses have adapted recently from coffee shops now selling and delivering fruit and vegetables, to ilates lessons being given online, and contactless delivery for many local items. What an ama ing local community we live in

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We’ve included a great mix of editorial in this issue, including two delicious recipes and a beginner’s guide to the new drink trend, kombucha. ’ve made some myself and it’s very easy, although the scoby’ certainly is a strange looking ob ect

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eliably delivered by oyal Mail, reaching 62,000 homes every two months. our editions of Village eople provide unrivalled coverage of Norfolk and Suffolk, reaching more homes than AN other local maga ine. or more information, call our friendly team on 01284 788623 or send an email to editor@village-people.info

With the spring weather around the corner, it’s time to put on a pair of sturdy boots and take in some air on our circular walk around Hethersett and Great Melton. And for you green fingered folk, we have our usual top tips for garden obs at this time of year. Make a cup of tea, put your feet up and en oy some brilliant poetry from one of our readers. f you have written some poetry yourself, and fancy being in a future issue, please do send us some of your work, we always love receiving anything creative. Spring, the weather usually turns warmer, trees begin to grow their leaves, plants start to flower and young animals such as chicks and lambs are born. here is a poet in all of us et’s look forward to renewal, change and growth for us all. Stay safe and look after each other.

Lily

ollow us on witter and nstagram @vpmagazine Read all our magazines issuu.com villagepeoplemag

DELIVERED TO 62,000 HOMES

RECIPE FOR APRICOT & ALMOND CAKE

Local walk around Hethersett & Great Melton BEGINNER'S GUIDE

to kombucha

r c e is

e e

DELIVERED TO 62,000 HOMES

IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK

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LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO KOMBUCHA

ries

S s

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April May ate Spring issue

DELIVERED TO 62,000 HOMES

IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Local walk around Hethersett & Great Melton Recipe for Apricot & Almond Cake

24 February

i der editor village people.info 01284 788623

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

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NEXT DEADLINE

AWARD WINNING

Local walk around Hethersett & Great Melton BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO KOMBUCHA

Recipe for Apricot & Almond Cake

DELIVERED TO 62,000 HOMES

IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK

AWARD WINNING

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

BEGINNER'S GUIDE

to kombucha

Local walk around Hethersett & Great Melton

RECIPE FOR APRICOT & ALMOND CAKE

ries

S s

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Good e s

rom our re on

WOOD WONDER MO ES TO WEY READ ne of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best known anti ue furniture restorers and cabinet makers, hilip Hodge, has moved his workshop to a new site in Weybread, where he can offer a better service to customers and a wider range of furniture based courses. hilip Hodge Anti ues offers a furniture restoration service, principally for Suffolk and Norfolk, as well as running short courses on a variety of sub ects including furniture restoration, cabinet

making, wood finishing, tool sharpening, gilding, and veneering inlay and mar uetry. hilip says am thrilled with my new workshop and have spent many busy weeks refurbishing it. he site was historically used as a wheelwrights and it feels right to use it again for wood based skills. have been a restorer for over years and moving here will enable me to continue the work love, and also pass on my skills to others who want to learn. here is

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a bit of a waiting list for furniture restoration because have been busy bringing the new site up to spec, but if anyone needs any work please do contact me and will fit you in as soon as can. ull details of all courses can be found at www.philiphodge. co.uk. o receive updates on course dates and other news, sign up to the newsletter on the homepage. he courses run with people and operate within social distancing guidelines.

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MORE HOMES FOR LIFE mmaus Norfolk Waveney, a charity which supports formerly homeless people in Norfolk, can now offer a home to even more people, thanks to the creation of ten new bedrooms at its community in itchingham. he charity, based at the old All Hallows ommunity onvent, provides people who have been homeless a place to live for as long as is needed and the opportunity to gain new skills through its social enterprise businesses, which include charity shops in Norwich, itchingham and ungay, and the ld rchard af .

he new build includes a female friendly area with private toilet facilities, designed to help women who are homeless or insecurely housed in Norfolk. Many women facing homelessness have experienced physical or sexual abuse, so this is an essential resource. eccles kitchen company, reative nteriors by esign, has also very kindly donated two kitchens for the new accommodation. ecile oberts, irector of mmaus Norfolk Waveney, says he creation of ten new bedrooms means we can offer a way out of homelessness

to even more people here in Norfolk. Along with giving people a home for as long as they need it, these rooms also mean we can provide more people with the opportunity to work and learn new skills through our social enterprise businesses. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been providing homes and work to homeless people for nine years, and our experience has shown us that there is a real need for female only facilities, giving homeless women somewhere to live where they feel completely safe.

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1,000 THANK YOUS hetford Garden entre has launched he ig hank ou ream ea’, pledging , cream teas to NHS workers in as a show of appreciation for all their hard work. Managing irector, ucy Nixon, says We’ve all had such an unpredictable and turbulent time, so we ust wanted to do something positive and hopefully bring a smile to some deserving people who have worked on the frontline during the pandemic. his crisis has

taught us many lessons, and as a business we want to reinforce our already strong links to the local community. ach year we embark on a handful of community pro ects and we want to grow this further in . We have a great team here at hetford Garden entre and they are always willing to help f rom creating vegetable plots in a local school, to cooking meals for the homeless in

Some see equity release, we see financial freedom. By releasing some of the equity tied up in your home you could have a tax free lump sum to use as you please. From paying off an existing mortgage or giving your grandchildren the head start they deserve, to supplementing your income in retirement, equity release could give you the freedom to experience things you never thought possible.

lockdown and providing free school meals during ctober half term. My suggestion of baking an extra , plus scones was met with genuine enthusiasm from our restaurant team, who also want to give something back. ream ea vouchers are available to collect from the store on presentation of a valid NHS card and can be exchanged for a homemade scone with clotted cream and am and a tea or coffee in the garden centre’s restaurant, ime iln itchen, Mondays to Saturdays, until November . ucy adds We have , vouchers available to give away, but will pledge more if members of the public would like to get involved. or ust they can buy additional vouchers and attach a personal message to the recipient, which we will pass on to them.

Contact Alice Gardner - your local Equity Release Specialist, now to book your FREE initial consultation.

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These are lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. To understand their features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. There will be a fee for mortgage advice. This will depend upon your circumstances, but we estimate that it will be £995. Equity Release Supermarket Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA registered no. 584063

Goo Ne s

A RE I E FOR EA E OF MIND he rangery ea oom, based in the grounds of etteringham Hall, has created a fantastic recipe book to raise much needed funds for Norfolk and Waveney Mind, featuring ideas from the first lockdown in . A member he rangery team says n April last year, we asked our customers, friends, family and local chefs to submit recipes for the things they’d been baking through the first lockdown, so we could put together a book to raise money for Norfolk and Waveney Mind. As everyone became isolated, many turned to baking as a way to provide physical and mental stimulation and comfort, and the outpouring of

HAV S M G

support was incredible. he result is ecipes in Mind aking through lockdown’ a beautiful hardback book with recipes many gluten free and vegan , personal uotes and a foreword written by none other than ake ff royalty rue eith. All proceeds will go directly to Norfolk and Waveney Mind to support the fantastic work they do in our region. he book is a perfect gift for any avid baker, and in years to come we hope it will be a reminder of one of the ways we all got through an incredibly challenging time. ur talented staff members lovingly baked and photographed each recipe that was submitted, and with the help of our friends at roduction ureau td we could not

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be more proud of the finished product. he book is . and can be purchased at www. orangerytearoom.co.uk under the Shop’ tab or rfom the tearoom.

The Orangery Tea Room has very kindly offered a copy of the book for us to give away to one lucky Village People reader. To apply, visit www.village-people.info and follow the links to the competition page. Closing date is 22 March 2021 and the usual Village People rules apply.

S Aeditor@village-people.info

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STAY HOME You can only leave your home for limited reasons e.g work, education, exercise or essential shopping Always stay local. Avoid travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live Protect Ourselves. PROTECT OTHERS. Protect Norfolk. 12

ertor al

TO U YOUR IN OME IN RETIREMENT

fter a health scare, enny, , aims to retire early and en oy more time with her year old husband avid but they need to increase their income. avid has a moderate pension and they want to stay in their , home, which they own outright, and pay off their car finance. he couple can pay bills, but worry they may have to cut back on their social life. ussell Golledge, a chartered financial adviser and married father of two who lives near iss, said enny and avid can receive up to , immediately, based on their ages and property value, plus , a month for years, and , to pay off their car loan, using an ncome ifetime Mortgage. hey will have a regular fixed monthly income paid automatically, they avoid downsi ing, and can stay in their home near friends and in an area they love. he ncome ifetime Mortgage is a loan secured on their home and the monthly income value could be eroded by inflation and reduce their

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children’s inheritance. ifetime mortgages may not be suitable for everyone and releasing e uity reduces inheritance, may impact benefits, interest will increase the debt, and there may be sse ed e early repayment fees. he . amount you release depends on your age and circumstances, so we advise a personalised illustration.’’ ussell Golledge is a director with G inancial Services td, in Manningtree, a company started by his father which manages million. o protect client confidentiality, avid and enny are an example, and not an actual couple. D G Servi es Ltd, iverside Avenue ast, Manningtree, ssex www.dgfs. iz

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Coastal | Rural | Woodland 13

oetr

oetr Corner

Ryta Lyndley

These funny poems are by Ryta Lyndley, who is retired and lives in Hockering, Norfolk. Ryta is also a published author, and has written a series of children’s books about kindness, cooperation and recycling.

p, not ust something to do went into Waitrose to sho locked in the loo ame Sadly, whilst in there, bec called out to her and r doo t nex er heard a custom ’t want to cause a stir an you alert someone, don s to help this stuck bimbo hey came in great number o icle door had tried to limb Meanwhile under the cub fat too tummy was My legs stuck out, but my , ’ll have to stop that uits bisc and s cake y man oo

ld not be found he maintenance man cou tion, ’ll be bound solu the A screwdriver maybe under the door sed pas iver wdr A hillips scre sure Will this help couldn’t be an to move undid a screw, the lock beg s to prove goe ch whi w, scre hen another do my shop At last was free to go and a call of nature caused e his all happened becaus me to stop

ust new to the area went to see the doc Not on any medication hat gave them a shock ome in for a check up, to see if you’re

According to my age they didn’t think ’d last the day She checked me over slowly, then said was too fat She had a bigger bum than me, what do you think of that At ust over nine stone didn’t think weigh ed a lot She said you should take statins, so that was a bit of a shock

said don’t believe in taking medication prefer to keep my ills at bay by doing medit ation. he check up over, didn’t leave in tears ecause on the form it said come back in five years. suppose in five years they hope will have died Also, m not having a flu ab either, cried My body likes the feeling of being natural and toxic free hat’s why ’m still teaching yoga and mobile at age

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

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Secur t

G e our secur t measures a sprin clean

ouseholders have been urged to keep their homes safe when they go on holiday.

he pandemic disrupted travel plans for many people last year, and now a leading security company is reminding them to tighten up on their crime prevention measures. A spokesman for Malthouse Security at ickinghall, near iss, said Now that longer days are on the hori on and spring is coming, this will encourage families to take a well earned holiday after the disruption caused by the pandemic.

Many people stayed at home last year, but now they will be looking forward to moving around the or abroad. urglars will be aware of this and getting ready to strike. herefore, it’s important to carry out an appraisal of your property and security needs, both inside and outside. utbuildings re uire extra locks, and remember to lock up those items which can’t be put away, ideally

fixing them to something solid. ou should also ask for a service e of your alarms and V, if you have them, and when you go aw way it’s advisable to give a neighbour a key, rather than leaving it outside. Also, check your fences and rep pair them ou could plant after any winter damage, and yo defensive hedges, using blackthorn, common holly, golden bamboo, hawthorn and shrub rose plants to deter would be thieves. t only takes minutes for a criminal to enter your property and garden to steal thousands of pounds worth of treasured possessions and then it takes weeks to sort out the insurance and cope with the heartache.’’ all Malthouse Security td today on email sa es a se sec ri c the website a se sec ri more details.

or visit c for

Local

alks

WALKING FOR Health

HETHERSETT & GREAT MELTON eviewed by ie i a Volunteer o ordinator at entral Norfolk Walking for Health

r ai

S ar i

Dire tions Hethersett ecreation Ground, ark rive, Hethersett N N. ree parking.

ee c air rie d

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S Map

a e i es

miles

. km

hour

minutes

ppr

i e

pa ai radie

None

aci i ies

Specific Hazards r is a e res

avements and dirt grass footpaths, firm, soft surface. Minor

S eps S i es ie

None Waterproof walking boots advisable. an be muddy across the fields. aneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sVillage af , A Mill oad, Hethersett N , if open.

urn right out of the recreation ground car park onto ark rive. urn right at the end onto Mill oad and then left at the unction onto Great Melton oad. After a while, and after passing the water tower, turn right onto a public footpath opposite New oad. Walk along the footpath at the edge of the field and go through the opening in the hedge at the end of the field, crossing a plank bridge. gnore any other right hand openings prior to this. urn left and follow the field edge footpath around this large field, keeping the wood on your left, but follow the footpath to cut diagonally across the bottom of the field. he access after passing the vehicle track to Great Melton is now permissive rather than public right of way. Walk under the electricity pylons, ignore all paths on the left through the wood and carry ry y on around the edge of the field. Walk under the pylons again, turn right onto a field edge path, keeping to the left of the hedge. ollow this track to the end.

Local urn first left onto the public footpath along a green lane after going around a tree trunk across most of the path. ontinue ahead as this becomes Grove oad tarmac . urn right at the end onto Henstead oad. ross the road at the unction, turn

alks

left, then first right into ann’s ane. ake the first right into etts lose, and at the end on the tarmac pathway go through the metal barriers and follow the path into the recreation ground and back to the car park.

Group wal s will depend on FRYLG UHVWULFWLRQV 3OHDVH he our Fa e oo page Central Norfol al ing for Health to he what s availa le and to oo onto a wal . Walk nstructions uth urn ougie ingwall hotography ougie ingwall Mapping rown opyright

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DIY IS FA Many of us have spent a lot more time outdoors in the past year we have reconnected with nature and found gardening more fun and productive than ever before. Self su ciency, making your own and recycling are also very high on the agenda, so here are a couple of ways you can take this even further Up y le lutter into a planter ld garden boots, a basket that’s ust been collecting dust, a dented colander, glass ars or even tin cans, these all make creative and totally free

planters. oke around in your cabinets or closets for things that can hold soil, drill some drain holes, then use them to plant early spring flower seeds such as pansies and violas. Ma e your own ompost Also known as black gold’, you can make your own from all that kitchen and yard waste you’ve been throwing out ruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, kitchen scraps, grass clippings and weeds can be composted instead of tossed. A compost pile doesn’t need anything but yard space

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ver thought about building a green roof his is a brilliant way to grow grass or greenery on a shed roof, creating extra growing space plus texture and colour for your garden, as well as a safe haven for wildlife. t can also help to insulate your shed and tackle the effects of climate change. Make sure your existing shed roof is strong enough to take extra weight. A basic lightweight green roof will weigh k g per s uare metre, which will increase if it’s saturated with rain. nsure there’s no rotten wood and that it’s waterproof. he roof can be flat, but a pitch of degrees is best. ver degrees will need a frame to stop the green roof slipping. ou can go all out with a water irrigation system if you want a variety of plants, but if you’re looking for less maintenance think about growing drought tolerant and hardy plants.

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Gar ens

The Gar en Enclosure ottin s

hank goodness for a garden, whatever its si e, from a flowerpot to a mighty plot. Getting busy outside helps us switch off from the chaos that surrounds us and directs our minds, however briefly, to a calm and pleasant pastime. Needless to say, was a challenging year for all and many things have changed in ways we could not have imagined at its start, but it was a great year for getting out into your garden to discover the simple pleasure of growing things. As spring approaches it’s time to carry on from where you left off, so get in touch with us now, we have all you need for the new season, from tools, composts and fertilisers, to grow your own’ seeds and sets, plus of course locally grown plants from reliable nurserymen. Whether you are an accomplished gardener or a new enthusiast, your passion for the great outdoors is intrinsically linked with our other obsession, the weather, which brought such terrible flooding to our region at hristmas. So what lies ahead for ou can’t predict the weather, but we’re ritish and won’t be kept cooped up for long, so keep calm and put those wellies on t’s a new gardening year, and whilst we may not be keen on lots of rain, plants love it, even those that are supposed to like it hot and dry will put up with a fair amount as long as any excess water can drain away. So if your soil is heavy and you’re aiming to grow sun loving plants, play safe and add

horticultural grit into planting holes, or plant into pots raised up from the ground on pot feet. ush, dense planting will soak up lots of water and slow down surface run off, which should help alleviate localised flooding around your property, so think about creating new flower beds in areas where large puddles tend to lay. ealistically, it may be that nearby drainage channels are blocked or that the ground is compacted, if it’s the latter dig the area over deeply prior to planting. epending on the si e of your plot there’s a range of suitable plant choices for boggy situations from large trees such as willow, alder, eucalyptus and river birch which are all regularly planted on managed floodplains to beautiful flowering perennials including primulas, arums, trollius, astilbes, ligularia and eupatorium, to name ust a few. or bold, dramatic foliage try a mass of hostas, rheum, rodgersia and even enormous gunnera, mix these with bright sedges and a few stunning large grasses such as arundo donax and it should look ama ing. urge you to have a go at creating a moisture loving border, as once you’ve gone to all that effort the sun will ust shine, shine, shine

Cheers Ken,

he Garden nclosure, anham making gardens wonderful, whatever the weather

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WORMERY WONDERS

Caroline Topping reveals how the genius of worms can convert food scraps into great compost.

ver the last year have tried really hard with my recycling, upcycling, make do and mend, ecobricks and erracycle. When look in the bin that goes to incineration now, the ma ority of the waste seem to have is food, and have tried to reduce the amount cook, and the amount buy in the first place. he worst culprits are buy one get one free’, but never get to use the free one before it has passed its best. espite these efforts still have some food waste, and this was bothering me until remembered a friend of mine got a wormery for hristmas last year. t really didn’t appeal to me at the time, but it is rather fascinating, because these worms are actually converting food waste into some great compost for the garden.

So here is a little bit about worms. omposting worms live differently to your usual garden worm, because they live near the surface eating decaying vegetation from gardens and forests. hese interesting little creatures can be found in manure heaps, compost bins and sometimes under bricks, stones and logs.

the waste on that level. All the while leaving behind vermicompost worm poo which is great for your garden. y the time the hungry little worms reach the top tray in your wormery, the bottom level should be completely composted and ready to use and that tray then moves up to become your top tray. here are lots of foods that your worms would love to convert for you, including vegetable and fruit peelings, coffee tea bags, bread, rice, pasta, flowers, cereal, crushed egg shells, cakes, biscuits, cheese, cardboard, paper, pet and human hair, vacuum cleaner contents, leaves and meat. hese worms will not eat bones, garlic, spicy food, dairy, salt, grass or weeds. here is loads of information about how to set up your own wormery online, so check it out. My family had been asking what wanted for hristmas, and couldn’t think of anything needed, but might ask for a wormery this year ’ll let you know how get on.

Wormeries contain a series of composting trays, each with small holes in the base. o start, you have one tray that contains the worms and your kitchen waste. When this is full, you add the next tray on top and fill that with your waste and so on. he worms will eat your kitchen waste in the bottom level and, because they live on the surface, once they have eaten that they will move up through the holes into the new tray above and start consuming

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Health

The beginner’s guide

TO KOMBUCHA The facts about this popullar fermented drink

lay yers of flavour depending on which fresh natural ing gred dients have been added. It may be an acquired tasste,, but it’s certainly moreish and it gives one a gen ntle lift and a pleasant sense of well-being. This cou uld d be the result of a combination of the caffeine and d probiotic content…add to that the gratifying idea a that it’s tasty and good for you and you’re onto a wiinner. The e origins of kombucha are shrouded in mystery and d hearsay, but it’s safe to say that at least 2,000 yea ars ago a fermented tea drink was being used in China as an “elixir of health”. Its use gradually sp pread across Russia and into Europe, and by th he 1960s kombucha was being referred to as a beneficial probiotic by Swiss researchers. Now its popularity is exploding, along with an understanding of the integral connection that the gut has to so many different areas of health. In America and Australia, where the kombucha market is about 10 years ahead of the UK, it’s common to find kombucha on tap, as you would beer or cider in a British pub. Kombucha bars are already popping up around London, serving the growing demand for healthy alcohol free drinks.

ombucha has created quite a buzz in recent years, along with other fermented fo oods such as kefir, saue erkraut and kimchi. Kombucha can now be found on supermarket shelves, ass well as in local health food stores and delicatessens, but what exactly is it and why is it supposed to be so good for your health?

Put simply, kombucha is a fermented drink, whose main ingredients are tea, sugar and probiotic culture. What makes it so special is the SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast) which floats like an alien jellyfish on top of the tea and creates a wonderful fermented drink with a unique mixture of healthy bacterias, amino acids and enzymes. It may not be pretty at the brewing stage, but hopefully we’ve all evolved to a point now where we do not place value on looks alone! It has a taste unlike anything else, at first unexpectedly effervescent and tangy, but with

One of the great things about this wonder drink is that a mother SCOBY, if looked after correctly, will keep on producing ‘babies’ in the form of a new layer of matter on the top of the SCOBY. This layer can be peeled off and given to a friend to start their own home brew. The idea of this giving, abundant mother is charming and a reminder of the generosity prevalent in the natural world. Brewing your own kombucha at home takes patience and practice, but once mastered is also a simple and satisfying procedure. To purchase a starter kit, check out oichiferments.co.uk. If home brewing seems like too much of a commitment, then look out for some of the delicious local kombucha drinks that are becoming more readily available around Norfolk and Suffolk. With thanks to local kombucha experts Shifa and Thorayya from @oichi_kombucha

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Rec e

A RI OT & ALMOND AKE s t e eat er gets ar er an o s are tr ng to c t back a l ttle. t t e enno er a e re al a s n ent ng ne rec es so e t o g t e tr to re ce bot s gar and at n a cake an see at a ene . e res lt s t s el c o s o st cake c as lo er s gar no a r no gl ten an no at. er ect treat t a strong black coffee.

Serve with as a pud Gree ding dri k led w yoghurt ith h and o dus ney cinna ted with mon .

Serves 12 201 al, 26g ar s per sli e INGREDIENTS g ready to eat apricots green cardamoms cinnamon stick cm long g caster sugar uice est of an orange eggs, separated g soft brown sugar ml water g ground almonds tsp almond extract Almond flakes optional cing sugar to dust optional METHOD 1. reheat the oven to . i l and base line a cm springform tin. ut g of the apricots into a saucepan with the cinnamon, cardamoms and the uice and est of the orange. Simmer for about minutes until the apricots are soft and the li uid has been absorbed. 2. Allow to cool, then remove the spices and whi to a puree. hop the remaining g of apricots into little

pieces. Whisk the egg whites into stiff peaks and set aside. Add the sugars to the egg yolks and whisk until they are soft and creamy. Add the apricot puree, chopped fruit, ground almonds and the almond extract, mixing until thoroughly combined. 3.

sing a large metal spoon, add a spoonful of egg white to the apricot almond mix and stir it through to loosen the mix. Add the remaining egg white, folding in gently to retain as much air as possible.

4. Spoon the mixture into the tin, level off and sprinkle with almond flakes, if using. ake

in the middle of the oven for about minutes until risen and golden, and a skewer comes out clean. un a knife around the edge and allow to cool in the tin. ust with icing sugar, if using, and en oy. eeps in an airtight tin for three days. e e er e re s eer a e rce a e de ici s ca es r sa e i e ca ic e r d ri es a i ard www.pennoyers.org.uk 01379 676660 The Pennoyer Centre, Station Road, Pulham St Mary, IP21 4QT

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EGAN LIME HEESE AKE

This delicious zesty dessert is a sumptuous and refreshing end to any meal... or just as good whenever you fancy something sweet!

INGREDIENTS g vegan biscuits of your choice dessert spoon of coconut oil g oconut ollaborative g vegan cream cheese g plain Alpro yoghurt heaped tsp icing sugar limes, grated est lime, uiced

i e

prepare

i e

a es

i i

i di id a c eeseca es

ip e eeded i c dia e er c e s ri s ra e i s rs a p s

METHOD 1. lace the biscuits in a sealed bag and hammer with a rolling pin until crushed into crumbs. Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan for two minutes, then remove from the heat and mix the crumbs into the oil. 2. ivide the crumb mixture e ually between the four pots and press it down well using the back of a spoon. ombine all the remaining ingredients together and mix well. ou can now either spoon your mixture

onto the biscuit bases or pipe it in, either way works. 3. Sprinkle a little est on top if you want. lace the cheesecakes into the fridge to chill until you are ready to eat them. f using a chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ring, carefully remove the ring before serving for perfect presentation. Top tip Most bourbon biscuits are vegan, but if you prefer something plain you could use rich tea.

hank you to ane Tate for this lovely recipe, which was taken from her book anieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sVegan ook ook. rom Newton lotman, anechanged to a vegan diet years ago, and decided to write the book to show how easy it is for anyone to make delicious and healthy vegan food. She gives of the profits from the sales of her book to local animal charities. o buy her book, or to find out more, go to aniesvegan oo oo . o.u

RABBITS? Rabbit proof fencing

attached to existing fence or installed as a new fence QUALITY MATERIALS USED Call Tim Today:

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Parlez Vous OO H Blogger and qualified ‘Dog Listener’ Julia Collins shows how ‘keep calm and carry on’ is the best way to communicate with your four-legged chum.

ow about turning everything on its head upside down, inside out, back to front in any event, a complete change Are you finding it di cult to really get through to your furry grrr y friend Well, perhaps it’s time to give up on changing him or her and change yourself instead etting go of all expectation, apprehension,, even dread, can be ama in ngly powerful when it comess to interacting with your dog.. f, despite your best efforts, things are stressful and you feel very conscious of doing the e diagnosis right thing, the could be that you are being yourselff’ too much. o the human mind, one of the many fascinating talents dogs possess is knowing what we are going to do at the very same momentt that we, ourselves decide upon something. his is because our breathing body language and scents spell out clearly to the canine mind where we are headed. herefore, to a great extent, remaining our usual selves but trying different behaviours can often yield a disappointing outcome.

will remain calm, will remain calm, will, will, can signal ’m furious, steaming but won’t show it. ad luck, busted to your dog you reek of crossness ense and tight of aw, you are someone liable to explode or, at the very least, be in a peculiar mood and therefore to be approached cautiously, or even avoided. ddly enough, channelling am unaffected by what you do, and remaining calmly solid in the middle of your own energy, can give ama ing results. etter still, simply behave as if the dog doesn’t exist.

When you prepare to go for a walk, take your time. We’ve already covered the best way to proceed, in previous articles, but, slow right down and breath really do it . t’s your walk and correspondingly your pace, choice of direction and timing. Sending out too much energy towarrds our dogs burdens them with complication. hey need to be them, you u need to be you. his is yet another area where we morph into treating our dogs deas, and not according to human id stepping a lon ng way back to honour their dogginess’. his dogginess is calm, uncomplicate ed and simply in the now’. onsider this who would you ratther go for a walk with the person who has rehearsed every possible eventuality mostly ne egative before you even cross the thresh hold, or the sunny, happy go lucky friend who remains cool whatever, possesses an admirable sense of propo ortion and a generous sense of humour t’s clear wh o makes the more appealing exercising chum. Most of us are no strangers to the power of visualisation. here is nothing like thinking here we go again, to pretty well insure that you do go there again and again and again So, harness your intention, be the best version of yourself, bolt on characteristics from people whose energy you admire, and en oy the transformation.

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MEMORIES OF STUSTON & THRANDESTON

ocal historian, ennis ross from iss, shares with us his fascinating collection of old postcards, focusing on a different village in every issue. his time, we take a walk down memory lane in Stuston hrandeston.

hrandeston ublic lementary School was built in for children, with support from the ev William enison and local landowners. t closed in and was converted into a private house. Mary ohnsonwas headmistress at the time of this postcard.

his postcard shows hrandeston Village Stores and ost ce, which was on the edge of the village green, and owned by Alfred ohnson. he building is now a private house.

his postcard shows local farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cows gra ing on the village green, near the ost ce.

hrandeston ueenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head, in , where harles astow was landlord. Now a private house. he village population at this time was .

Stuston Green is in the centre of the village. his postcard shows felled trees awaiting transport to the wood mill. he building on the left is he Swan pub, now a private house.

Stuston, on the banks of the iverr Waveney and on the Norfolk Suffolk ffolk k border, has acres of common n land. n , iss Golf lub wass formed and used part of this iss land for a hole golf course. he e cottages in this postcard are are e now the golf clubhouse. he Norfolk ostcard lub meets regularly in rowse in Norwich and new members are very welcome. Meetings have currently been suspended. ennis is also the author of several local history books that can be purchased by contacting him direct.

Stuston ost ce stood opposite the village green, and rederick lsey was postmaster at the time of this postcard. He also ran a coach building business next door.

f readers have any local postcards of iss or the surrounding villages, please get in touch with him after pm on .

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Cooks have been supplying blinds in Norwich, Norfolk and across the East of England for over 50 years. With our expertise and experience in the manufacturing and installation of blinds, you can be conﬁdent that you will receive the highest quality product. Installed by our professional and friendly work force, our blinds ﬁt perfectly in to any room, in any setting.

WE OFFER A RANGE OF DIFFERENT BLINDS INCLUDING: • Vertical blinds • Venetian Blinds • Roller Blinds • Roman Blinds • Pleated Blinds • Velux Blinds • Plantation Shutters • Conservatory Blinds • Curtains and Tracks • Insect Screens

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ra ts

RO HET IS THE NEW cool!

One woman’s mission to bring a well-loved craft into the 21st century

orwich based Sue Maton is a textile designer and teacher who is seeking to reinvent crochet for crafters with curious minds. She owns and runs he Mercerie themercerie.co.uk , a website offering crochet patterns and masterclasses, as well as an active nstagram account with around , followers themercerie .

rochet is traditionally associated with an older demographic, but Sue believes that these days the crafting community is more centred around ethics than age. hese new crafters think carefully about the materials they use, the products they make and the reasons why they make them, says Sue. his new demographic will ensure a healthy and exciting future for these valuable crafting traditions. or example, the apanese craft of amigurumi focuses on crocheting cute little creatures a

long way from the awkward s fashion garments and dowdy tabletop doilies often associated with crochet. Sue’s approach blends the Sue Maton traditional and the modern, focusing on the principles of colour harmony, surface pattern and the traditions of painting. believe crochet can and should act as a vehicle to draw its students into other disciplines such as colour theory, design aesthetics, confidence building, occupational therapy and mindfulness, adds Sue. he onset of lockdown made me think creatively about how could continue to share my expertise and passion, without being able to meet people physically. So, back in March , Sue launched a free online pro ect called ro oretro’ cro o’ being short for crochet mo o’ , where people could sign up to her newsletter and then receive crochet patterns for an ever evolving, improvisational mystery blanket’. he pro ect is still ongoing and has attracted crochet enthusiasts from all over the world. Sue has even been interviewed by a apanese V channel to talk about it You can find out more about the project, and sign up to receive the patterns, at themercerie.co.uk/newsletter

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Nature

HEL HEDGEHOGS this sprin By Helen Baczkowska, Conservation Officer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust

he laylands of Norfolk and Suffolk are a great place to spot these prickly creatures, which thrive in a landscape of thick hedgerows, scattered woods and grassy commons, as well as the many back gardens of our villages and market towns. However, hedgehog numbers are sadly in rapid decline across ritain and there are many actions we can all take to help, what a friend of mine, calls prickle pigsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. f you have a garden or farm, or if you can influence the management of a local churchyard or playing field, the principles are roughly the same hedgehogs need food, water, shelter and easy routes between the places where they forage. Water is the easiest of these. A shallow bowl in the garden, especially in dry weather, will always be welcome and if you have a pond of any si e, then a gently sloping bank for access is essential. Shelter for hibernation, daytime snoo ing and nesting can be anything from the thick base of a hedge, to a pile of leaves or a hedgehog house. iles of sticks, compost bins and even pampas grass are popular places to sleep, so be careful when clearing these

All types oof pitched and flat rooofs

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or having bonfires. Hedgehogs will get up and often move nests in warm winter spells, so having more than one place to shelter is essential. Studies of hedgehog diets show they relish beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, earwigs and millipedes even more than slugs, so habitats for creepy crawlies are vital. Wildflower meadows, native shrubs, pond edges and grassy field margins are all key habitats you could create. And please avoid slug pellets that are toxic to hedgehogs Hedgehogs hunt for insects over wider areas connected by gardens and wildlife. n the future, Norfolk Wildlife rust hopes to have more information available on helping hedgehogs

Credit Amy Lewis

edgehogs are ritainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most easily identified mammal the only one with a thick coat of spines. n early spring they might still sleep through colder weather, but will wake up on warm nights to bumble across a lawn or field edge, snu ing for insects or earthworms to eat. his is a good time for us to emerge from winter, too, and consider how we can help hedgehogs.

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Credit Dave Kilbey

Nature

in Norfolk but, for now, the Hedgehog Street website www.hedgehogstreet.org has fabulous ideas on what to do in your own garden and how neighbours can work together to make sure gardens are accessible to hedgehogs. f we work together, whole streets or villages can provide everything hedgehogs need to survive. Maintaining habitats and corridors for hedgehogs across farms is crucial, and there is guidance on maintaining field margins and hedges, plus the importance of low scrub, modifying ploughing in key areas and how to use farm environment schemes to help hedgehogs.

Have a wildlife-friendly garden pond, photo by Tom Marshall

he more find out about hedgehogs the more fascinating find them h t ere can be over , prickles on their back, which not only give them protection, but cushion the impact if they fall. hey hunt largely by smell and, as found out one evening last summer, have a very noisy courtship ritual hope that this year, as spring turns to summer, you too can en oy these wonderful creatures and help ensure their survival. www.norfol wildlifetrust.org.u

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Can you find Bella the Beagle? WIN A £100 M&S VOUCHER! To be in with chance of winning a £100 M&S voucher, simply read this magazine from cover to cover and find Bella the Beagle. She looks exactly like the picture of her, but much smaller!

How to enter the ompetition Visit www.village-people.info and fo ollow the lin nks to the competition page. Closing date is 21 March 2021 and the usual Village People rules apply. Where Bella was hiding g in n our previious issuee: RG Cabins: page 42

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Health

SAFETY in our o n home Simon Symcox, founder of AHM Installations, looks at how to make your home work better for you

ur homes have become central to our lives during the pandemic, but for older or less abled people the suitability of their home is particularly important. eing able to get in and out of the house, move around safely, access the bathroom, cook and go to bed, all affect our dignity and wellbeing. f you’re starting to feel that you can’t do these things safely, it’s time to make some improvements. ut where do you start, and what about the cost here is financial help available for people with a ualifying condition it’s called the isabled acilities Grant G a means tested grant to make changes in the home to help less able people lead more independent lives. he maximum payment is , . Search G gov uk’ online, or call your local council for more details.

www.asksara.livingmadeeasy.org.uk , where you select what you have di culty with and it gives you advice and solutions to make life easier. f course, a reputable supplier could also do the same. When it comes to the all important bathroom, you might only need grab rails by your toilet, for example, or a bath that’s easier to get out of. Sometimes people worry that they need a full wet room, but often a less expensive, low level access shower is enough. here are all sorts of options to suit your budget. ind a supplier you trust who will help you understand what’s available. And it’s not only the big, recognised brands in fact, they’re usually the most expensive. Smaller, specialist companies will take time to understand your needs and do what they y can to help, p, whatever your budget.

Grants aside, if you’re not sure what you need, there’s a wonderful website called Ask Sara

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Art

HO E prin s Art writer Kristy Campbell looks at how we can all appreciate the new life and beauty of spring â&#x20AC;&#x201D; both indoors and outdoors

t this time of year, we are drawn to a natural spring pallet encompassing yellows, greens, pinks, blues, and purples. As we rise from the dark ha e of winter into a time of new beginnings, spring undresses our misty surroundings and spotlights the crisp, dewy sun kissed mornings. Spring is commonly associated with new life, and as a conse uence floral pieces come to the fore. When it comes to capturing your own taste of spring and bringing it indoors to treasure, out come the vases and in comes the greenery and blooming flowers. ressing the home with colour is a great way to breathe life back into a space. Adding bright or pastel hues to your living spaces will lighten little pockets of the room naturally, helping to rebalance, refresh and restore.

f you have a garden room or an orangery then look no further, but generally speaking introducing greenery to interiors is a great way to bring the outdoors in and connect with nature, particularly when plants are able to crawl around furniture and become part of the natural d cor. While keeping the indoors full of life is key this season, you might want to begin taking some of your furniture outdoors too, so you can truly and comfortably immerse yourself in the ever evolving state of your home environment. f, like me, filling the room full of flowers isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realistic, consider rearranging your seating areas so that you make the most of the natural light pouring in, or dressing your furniture with a lighter toned throw or cushion. hese items retain all their function by keeping all the cosy winter

Art ualities we secretly want from our homes, while presenting as clean and unspoiled features. nce you’re satisfied with the indoors, it’s time to venture outward covid guidelines permitting. ast Anglia grants a wealth of treasures to explore at this time of year. f it’s gorgeous seascapes you’re after, why not venture out to Holkham beach he sandy beach spans for what feels like miles, and reaching the shore from the car park seems like a lifetime away. ut the tall dark trees surrounding the sands hold you in their grasp and you feel immersed in the silky dunes. nly a train ride away is ly, a small cathedral town, filled with museums, manors and markets. ustthinking about the cool spring light slicing through the stained glass of the cathedral, and resting on the surface of the iver use, tempts me to book a ticket Next door is ambridge, home to a rich academic history. Surrounding the grounds of the university is a host of natural spots to pitch the perfect spring picnic. Why not try out he ambridge otanic Gardens for a feast for

the eyes, or the popular esusGreen park, which offers things to do for all ages A personal favourite of mine to explore is lickling state, in Norfolk. particularly love taking a stroll across the acres of land toward he emple, and winding through the paths and secret spots. ’m sure you could add plenty more sparkling spring sites of your own to my list Whether you’re heading out with a camera or a paintbrush, with wide eyes or an in uiring mind, be sure to sei e a slice of spring this year ast year, we all committed to the great indoors’, with the interest of the nation’s health in mind. As we enter this new season, ever vigilant, we are hopeful that we can safely begin to rediscover the beauty that was well worth waiting for. Here’s to fresh starts

riter Kristy Camp ell risty amp@me. om @ risty amp

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Village Life

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

t would be possible to apply the term ‘sleepy’ to our little hamlets and villages in The Saints…but it would be a mistake! Behind pretty hedgerows, well tended borders, up bumpy drives and nestling between copses, virtually each and every charming home in the area nurtures a hive of activity – wonderfully creative talent that we are used to enjoying at local markets and craft fairs. With browsing and purchasing extended by on-line presence, fortunately there is no such thing as a ‘closed’ sign on these little shop fronts, no matter the time or day. Creativity is a vein that runs deep in all of us. Humans seem driven to express themselves through art and enjoy surroundings enhanced by decorative artefacts. As an adjunct to this, mending, repairing or modifying things can be deeply satisfying; an activity that soothes once we actually get around to doing it. Rendering something useful again offers many riches. Firstly, there is the recognition of the potential within the chosen object. This leads directly to considering whether we are capable of ‘making good’. Imagination comes next, as we picture restoration, and our mind probes possibilities and ways around the apparent difficulties. In turn, we might consult a book, the internet (most likely!) or a handy friend and a successful outcome feels entirely achievable. More often than not, frustration hits fairly early on, but giving up can grate unpleasantly now, as perseverance beckons. A little more research and advice-seeking builds confidence and competence. After all, having started, who wants to experience failure?! So, with appropriate materials and knowledge we empower ourselves and, once started, innate y draws us in. Radio on and kettle to hand, creativity

it’s easy to get lost in the relaxation. Stitching, baking, painting, joining, being busy with our hands seems conducive to calmer, deeper contemplation. Fresh ideas occur as we engage in the process – a few sales to friends, perhaps a market stall? It’s a wonderful experience when others appreciate your efforts, and selling what you have created feels magical. No matter that your hourly input outweighs any profit, the satisfaction is huge and any recognition feels enormous! Little by little, before you know it, a business takes shape. So when you stroll through Suffolk’s beautiful lanes, relishing their peace and beauty, admire the houses, cottages and barn conversions in a slightly different way – many are mini powerhouses g with creativity y and imag gination. bursting

Falcon Mea o

FAL ON MEADOW Art Competition Be inspired by the meadow, make some art and win a prize!

hat are the best things to come out of lockdown for you k now we all want it to be over, but for a lot of people time stuck at home has led to new and exciting levels of creativity. erhaps you have discovered a love of baking, gardening, , or art. f so, why not enter the alcon Meadow Art ompetition o kick off , we are working with Musker Mc ntyre state Agents to launch our first Fal on Meadow Art Competition. We have been thinking

of a way to celebrate the creativity of local people and the beauty of alcon Meadow, and this is a wonderful way to do it. Here is how to enter 1. We are inviting everyone, of any age or artistic ability, to create a piece of art under the theme My alcon Meadow’. ou could paint, draw, ice a cake, make a sculpture, weave a tapestry, knit a umper or whittle a stick. As long as it’s creative and you en oy it, anything goes but no photographs please 2. When you have completed your masterpiece, take a photo or scan it and email it to info falconmeadow.org.uk with a covering email to tell us your name, age and contact number. he deadline for entries is March . 3. ntries will be udged in the following categories V ery ittle uite ittle weens and eens oung Adults

(we thought you’d like this category!)

S tately and ignified Adults

(we thought you’d like this category too!)

4. here will be a pri e of sponsored by Musker Mc ntyre state Agents for the winner in each category. All entries will be displayed on the alcon Meadow website and on the Musker Mc ntyre state Agents’ website. We know from the uck ace that ungay and beyond is brimming with people who are uirky, creative and fun so we hope this appeals to you and we can’t wait to see your entries. hank you and good luck Sample artwork of Hunched Heron, by Myatt, aged

or more details go to falconmeadow.org.uk

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here is a rising need for children and young people across Norfolk and Suffolk who need foster care, where a safe home and nurturing family environment is offered. Nexus ostering, a local,, friendly and professional fostering agency, are recruiting loca al oster arers to support vulnerable children and young people. eing a oster arer means that you’ll be able to have a fulfilling career as a highly trained carer, and make a real difference to the lives of children and young people. Almost anyone from all walks of life can foster, whether you practice a religion, have or haven’t got children, are married, single or in a same sex relationship. t doesn’t even matter if you have pets at home or think you’re too old you’re needed All we ask is that you have a spare bedroom.

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SAINT ALENTINE S DAY D Local Historian Christopher Reeve steps back in time to explo ore Bungay’s history

hen we were children in the s, ebruary th Saint Valentine’s ay was almost as special as the other festive events of the year. hroughout the day we eagerly anticipated darkness to fall, when at about . pm a sudden thunderous knock on the kitchen door heralded his mysterious arrival. ew of our school friends seemed to share the tradition, and don’t know whether it happens anywhere in our region today. t was organised by our mother, who must have en oyed it during her childhood and, like us, had brothers and a sister to share it with. he thrill of the event was that when we rushed to answer the knocking there was nobody there ut a parcel lay on the doorstep. hen, almost immediately, the front doorbell rang. We raced through the house to fling the door open and, again, no visitor, but another surprise parcel. o us, it seemed ama ing that Saint Valentine moved so swiftly from one place to the other, before we’d even had time to look at the present. he experience was also rather frightening, the knocks so loud, and nobody to be seen. his explains why we never ventured out into the dark night to see if we could catch a glimpse of a fleeting figure.

A Valentine’s Day present: Little Grey Rabbit’s Painting Book, 1955

he knocking and ringing continued about six times, but not always alternately, sometimes after a knock we’d start to run to the front door, all five of us, but instead there was a second

A badly coloured illustration by Jasmine!

loud knock on the kitchen door, or two long peals on the bell. And each time a present appeared. Mum made sure they were shared out e ually between us when, at last, silence fell, and we knew the kindly but scary and elusive Saint Valentine had disappeared for another year. he parcels contained inexpensive gifts, sweets, packets of crisps, colouring or magic painting books and little toys. o children still have magic painting books, in which you ust paint water onto an illustration, and the colours instantly appear We loved them. While we were busily unwrapping, ad arrived, very surprised to hear about our visitor, and said he had ust been to the shop to pick up the vening News. Something he rarely did, as the newspaper was regularly delivered to the house asmine was the youngest of we five children, and felt at a distinct disadvantage. here is about three years age difference between us, so obin and erry were teenagers and getting too old for Saint Valentine’s tricks, while asmine, aged five, was starting to really en oy them. So when the visits stopped, she’d had fewer years to en oy them than the rest of us. t’s N A , shewailed. And us’ cos ’m the littlest

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A D V E R T O R I A L

ECO SWAPS – make a clean start with a S ru y

s consumers, the power to switch to sustainable and planet friendly products is entirely in our hands. ’d like to make that easier for you and suggest one simple eco swap over the next two months to h t e biodegradable Scrubby. he idea came to me one dark and rainy anuary morning. needed to grab something to wipe the rain off my car windows and mirror and, not wanting to traipse through the house with wet shoes, headed for the cupboard under the sink in my utility room. grappled in the dark, feeling for a cloth and was surprised when pulled out a synthetic yellow and green sponge scourer. hadn’t sorted out the cupboard in years, and it reminded me about the great decision had made to stop using these synthetic scourers, and the Scrubby had eco swapped them for. We are all familiar with the yellow and green kitchen sponge and have probably used hundreds in our lives. he yellow part is made of polyurethane foam , and the green parta blend of nylon and polyester. ogether, they take years to break down and then only into harmful microplastics. n addition, these foam pads off gas’ and contain an array of chemicals such as dyes, antibacterial agents and chemical glues which are linked to asthma, skin and eye damage, not to mention the danger to a uatic life. Manufacturers recommend that you start a new sponge every week and that you sterilise or bleach them every day, so the harm can really add up. A Scrubby is the perfect eco swap alternative a no nonsense cotton cleaning pad made from offcuts from towel manufacturing. he textile of the Scrubby is treated to stiffen the loops, giving them astonishing scrubbing power and durability. use my own Scrubby every day to make my washing up speedier, to clean the hob and kitchen surfaces and to help with all sorts of household cleaning windows, the bath, shower screen, pet bowls, floors, sinks and outdoors on garden furniture and in the potting shed. Afterwards, the Scrubby goes into the washing machine at .

ou will find that a Scrubby lasts for months, or longer, but the best thing is their bright colours and inventive designs ust picking up a Scrubby fills me with oy and makes me feel enthusiastic about even the most dreaded cleaning tasks. ventually, the Scrubby will become threadbare. At that point, cut mine into pieces and bury it in the garden, donating it to the worms and soil microbes. f you want to make one simple eco step, may invite you to try the Scrubby for yourself and even get some as gifts for friends and family here are two si es to choose from, normal and large, and discounts for buying several at once. ou can help to make a small but significant change to the planet.

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Health

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ovid and winter bugs can leave you feeling exhausted, both physically and mentally, and definitely in need of a good boost, so here are a few ways to get yourself feeling back to normal. A great toni We associate Swit erland with mountain air and great health, and in the last years the Swiss natural tonic, Strath, has undergone numerous trials to show its excellent restorative properties. Strath lixir is a li uid that provides over vital nutrients to revitalise the body, invigorate the immune system, and improve energy levels. t’s suitable for all ages, there is one for your pets too and can be taken during pregnancy. ou can take it at any time of the year to balance and restore the body and, importantly, help you bounce back to normal post viral infections. Love good a teria f you have needed to take antibiotics recently, it’s so important to replenish the good bacteria, so make sure you take a good uality probiotic. Good bacteria produces vitamins and and supports the immune system, vital for our overall health. o help you through the next few months without further problems, continue taking immune supporting

supplements like echinacea, inc, vitamin and of course the sunshine vitamin’ vitamin . Bring me sunshine Vitamin has been the bu word since the onset of covid, and is usually manufactured by our bodies when our skin is exposed to sunlight. urrent NHS guidelines recommend that children under five take a daily supplement unless they are fed with an enriched formula and that children over five and adults take a daily supplement from September to April, and may consider doing so during the summer months as well. t’s probably the easiest vitamin to get fussy kids to take, because there are drops or totally taste free oral sprays available, even for babies. ou are what you eat and drin Most importantly at this time of year spring clean your diet Get rid of sugar, processed foods, fi y drinks and anything you know has little or no nutritional value. et’s hope that spring will be a healthier season for all of us. Contact the Natural Food Store Exchange Street Norwich Tel: 01603 613228 www.shopnaturally.com for lots more helpful information

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Health

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ou are what you eat’ has never been so true as it is today. he relationship between gut health and good skin has been established as fact, and is being further explored to see how improving our diet can improve our appearance. ssentially, gut health is part of your immune system. d off diverse bactteriium he adult intestine hosts a myriad that live mostly in the lower gut, where they uietly maintain a happy symbiotic relatio onship with their human habitat. ut when the gut’ss microbiome a community of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses is out of sync, it can result in, or uch as psoriasis, acne exacerbate, diseases of the skin su and dermatitis. est protection, his skin performs its functions be temperature regulation, water rettention, excretion when it’s in balance. his balance homeostatis can be disturbed, although we’re not uitte sure how, when the microbiomes in the intestines hav ve been disrupted and microbes from the gut gain accesss to the bloodstream and accumulate in the skin. f your gut is not in a healthy condition, you might find that your skin is dry, flaky and ofte en inflamed. Acne, the eighth most common medicall disorder worldwide, is particularly prevalent in western n countries. his is a phenomenon thought to be re elated to the nd refined sugars large amount of carbohydrates an measured by the glycaemic index x in the typical ty y western diet. he high G load pro omotes an increase in insulin like growth factors, and through a complex

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chain reaction leads to the development of acne. airy products have a similar result. epression and anxiety can also affect gut micro flora. n the past few decades, there has also been a dramatic increase in allergies including asthma, hay fever and ec ema. Some theories put this down to over use of disiinffecttantts to creatte super saniitised d enviironmentts. hese make our bodies respond inappropriately to harmless antigens, and new research on the microbiome diet theory ry y again seems to point to western eating habits low fibre, high fat content fundamentally changing the flora in the gut and reducing tolerance in our immune systems. t’s a good idea to ditch, or reduce, dairy ry y products. Add some fermented foods, such as kefir made from coconut or soy. hoose whole grains, try ry y a sugar free week every ry y month and pile on the fruit and veg. ou could soon feel, and see, the difference.

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f you are one of the two million eye patients struggling to get an NHS appointment, you’ll be pleased to hear that cu lan is now available in the ast of ngland, providing treatment plans for long term stable eye diseases. hese include glaucoma, ocular hypertension, age related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease.

Vicki Maskell, hief p erating cer of cu lan, says We have seen a massive increase in the number of patients signing up following a di cult period for the NHS during ovid. he NHS was really struggling to see these long term eye patients even before the pandemic, but now the capacity problems are even more severe. We very much see ourselves as a ma or part of the solution, because in helping patients to access their care privately, we help both them and the NHS. or every patient we sign up, it’s one less for an overburdened NHS. We have seen massive growth in cu lan, and by the end of last year we created the capacity to do over , scans at our partner optometrists’ practices. cu lan is working flat out to double that capacity in . atients at cu lan feel like they’re back in control, adds Vicki. hey choose the optometrist to perform their scans, as well as their preferred consultant, and when to see them at their private rooms. n this way, cu lan transfers

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Norfolk ournalist, Sa die S ir e , spotlights the inspiring stories of men and women from the region and beyond that have seen them reach for victory. or more stories visit acebook efreshing Waters hristian Media

fledgling desire to help war weary Syrians has propelled stay at home mum Samara evy on a life changing ourney amid danger and poverty. Seven years ago, she founded a charity, Samara’s Aid Appeal, to open the floodgates of provision for hundreds of thousands of people. Samara recently shared her epic sacrificial story at a Norwich ull Gospel usinessmen’s oom meeting. She told how a small gesture of love snowballed into a . m mission, which continues expanding. t is believed more than . million people in Syria re uire humanitarian help the N has described it as the worst humanitarian crisis of our time. Samara’s Aid Appeal helps those internally displaced, bereaved, traumatised, impoverished, and homeless. She has raised a motivational voice, broadcasting their life threatening plight, and with her team makes numerous pleas for funding and clothes. his has resulted in containers and lorries being sent to the Middle ast, as well as providing ambulances to Syria and funding for numerous growing initiatives, including medical care. Norfolk aid includes help from Hope ommunity hurch, in Wymondham. wo thirds of the hospitals in Syria have been destroyed, damaged or are largely dysfunctional, but our charity aims at rebuilding the light of God, says Samara, who has witnessed shocking large scale devastation and horrific atrocities to humanity. he charity provides vital funding for medical and farming pro ects, support for orphans and disadvantaged children and empowers and e uips widows to establish livelihoods. Her heart was first moved after seeing graphic newsreels and reports of a re ected people on the margins of society who had fled from S S. hey lived under canvas amid free ing temperatures and gunfire and children wore flip flops in the

snow. Soon afterwards she saw a picture of a baby who had been killed by S S. earful, sleepless, and aching she got down on her knees praying to know how she could help. esus’ words are very simple, and are black and white, asking us to share what we have and to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and care for the sick, Syrian ruins says Samara, who has been moved to radical love. wondered what could do as a stay at home mum with young children with little to give, but mounted a collection, asking mums in my son’s class for clothes, blankets and shoes. We can do nothing by ourselves, says Samara, who stretched her faith prayers to fill one of the largest cubic metre lorries available, costing , , to transport to the Middle ast. Within the next fortnight there was church support and a school minibus arrived with stacks of boxes to meet the gaping shortfall. hose small beginnings rallied the nation with an explosive mission that brings relief to hundreds of thousands. Her autobiography, ebuilding the uins ollowing God’s all to Serve Syria, unveils the story of miraculous protection and provision and features the lives of those she has met during numerous visits. ebuilding the uins’ Hodder and Stoughton is available from ma or book retailers including Waterstones, WH Smith, den and Ama on, as well as www.samarasaidappeal.org rebuilding the ruins www.samarasaidappeal.org

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RES ONSI LE n estment EYOND THE ORONA IRUS ic ae a e, rincipal of M Wealth Management, looks at how the investment community can help advance the environmental gains that have come out of V

he conse uences of the coronavirus pandemic will clearly be profound, wide ranging and long lasting. So, it’s no surprise that any sources of optimism to be found as the crisis unfolds are uickly sei ed upon. erhaps the most significant so far has come in the form of the immediate effects on the environment.

Greenhouse gas emissions have fallen, while data from NASA suggests that air uality has improved dramatically as countries around the world have taken steps to restrict activity and travel. ndeed, this could be an opportunity for organisations to rethink how they do business and uestion whether they need to return to a form of normality in which, for example, employees are flown to meetings that could otherwise be held using video conferencing facilities. A more realisti rate of hange nfortunately, these environmental positives are likely to be temporary, and there is now a risk of efforts to address climate change becoming a lesser priority, as governments focus on dealing with the economic implications of the crisis. his is why the investment industry has an important role to play in maintaining the momentum that has gathered in recent weeks and months. he biggest crisis now is clearly V , but the biggest crisis of the s is still climate change, and we need to ensure that once we’re on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic, governments keep focusing on that.

e an invest for hange esponsible investing isn’t ust about the environment, of course. he crisis has also shone the spotlight on corporate behaviours both good and bad and helped illustrate why businesses cannot simply be about making profits. f they are going to be successful, they need to think about their wider stakeholders. ompanies that have put measures in place for employees will come out of this with higher employee satisfaction and community spirit and that contributes to their long term success. he importance of environmental, social and corporate governance SG factors in investment decisions has only become clearer as the crisis has unfolded. nvestors increasingly seek information about sustainability and responsible investing, with growing awareness of the broader long term aspects of successful and effective investing. Anyone who wants to explore their responsible investing options should speak with a financial adviser.

ut the environmental gains from the pandemic have clearly been made alongside painful social, economic and health conse uences. n other words, the current rate of improvement is unsustainable. f we’re taking climate change seriously, we would rather see a smooth transition at a rate less dramatic than we’re seeing at the moment. We don’t want to be in a position of having to bring a halt to everything, as we are now, in order to have that environmental impact.

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A D V E R T O R I A L

SEPARATING WITH DIGNITY

eparating from a partner can be an extremely daunting and stressful time. Emma Alﬁeri, Family Lawyer at Greene & Greene Solicitors, discusses some early considerations to be made if faced with this situation:

or not formalised in the correct way, beware as it will not be a legally binding agreement.

Can the Relationship work? Could it be possible to get the relationship back on track? A marriage counsellor or therapist may be useful if the parties agree there is a chance.

Financial and Tax Advice It may be useful to speak to an accountant in relation to capital gains tax issues. For example, if more than one property is owned or if one party moves out and lives elsewhere, there could be adverse tax consequences. Also consider talking to an independent ﬁnancial advisor in relation to pensions.

Therapy/Counsellor If the relationship is over, a family therapist or counsellor can help individuals to work through the issues surrounding the separation and to help to deal with the transition. Try and keeps things amicable If the relationship is over, try to be pragmatic and reasonable where possible as this will make the separation much easier to deal with. Try and work together, particularly where there are children involved. Arguing over minor issues and matters of principle will increase conﬂict and costs and is rarely productive.

Wills It is important to consider making or updating any Will previously made to ensure that those named to inherit are still correct. It is also worthwhile considering death in service beneﬁts under any pension provision.

Seek Early Legal Advice It is important to seek legal advice early so that individuals are aware of their own legal position and rights. An initial consultation can be invaluable and is often much less daunting than one might think. Living arrangements Consider where both parties will live. Will this be in the same house together? Sometimes this will be a necessity. Alternatively, if one person leaves, then a plan should be put in place for who that person will be, where they will go and how two households will be funded. Arrangements for children The initial arrangements for the care of the children will be a priority. Take time to consider when and where they will see each parent. Having an agreed plan in place from the outset will ensure it is as stress-free as possible for the whole family. Reaching Agreements If a ﬁnancial agreement is reached between the parties, ensure the agreement is formalised in writing, preferably with a Court Order. If the agreement is verbal

Emma Alfieri is a specialist Family Lawyer and is part of the Family Team at Greene & Greene which is praised by clients in the latest Legal 500 [UK 2021 edition] as ‘the quality of advice, attention to detail and personal approach rivals top firms in London’. She has a wealth of experience advising clients throughout Suffolk and Norfolk on family and matrimonial matters. Based at Greene & Greene’s Bury St Edmunds office but living close to Diss, Emma is well placed to support clients throughout the local area by arranging a meeting locally or virtually. This article is only intended to be a summary and not specific legal advice. If you are considering a separation and would like to discuss any of the areas highlighted in this article, please contact Emma on 01284 717459 or emmaalfieri@greene-greene.com

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ith everyone spending more time at home as a result of ovid , itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely you will be seeing and hearing your neighbours more than you are used to. n some cases, this has led to an increase in neighbour complaints. o maintain a good relationship with your neighbours, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to consider the following Noise Noise is normally thought of as unwanted sound. t could be too loud, ust happen at the wrong time, or without warning. his can include playing loud music, pro ects, alarm systems and incessant dog barking. f you are concerned about noise coming from a neighbourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to try and approach them as soon as possible before the problem gets out of control. Many issues can be dealt with in a friendly way, without the need for further action. ut if talking doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work, you will need to make a complaint to your local authority. nder the provisions of the Noise Act , and other associated legislation, your local authority has a mandatory obligation to deal with any noise deemed to be nuisance. %RQČ´UHV f your neighboursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bonfire creates issues with smoke drifting, try and speak with them to see if they can position it away from the boundary, or move it to the end of their garden. f they disregard your complaints, have a look at your title deeds to see whether there are any restrictions. f you are still unable to resolve the problem amicably, you may need to raise the issue with your local environmental health o cer at the council. hey will be able to investigate complaints about smoke from residential premises that cause a statutory nuisance. Fen es f you live in a built up area, it is highly likely that the boundaries of your garden are shared with one of more of your neighbours. nless they are dealt with carefully, small problems relating to hedges, fences and walls can cause a breakdown in

relations between neighbours. nowing your rights and responsibilities can help to prevent a problem from turning into a disruptive and expensive legal issue. f you are looking to paint or repair a fence, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best to speak with your neighbour first to check they are happy with any alterations. f you are in any doubt, check the deeds of your house first for any clarification of boundary lines, as this may help you with any negotiations. +HGJHV SODQWV DQG ERXQGDU\ OLQHV Generally, a hedge that separates two gardens will grow along the boundary of both properties, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the responsibility of both neighbours to keep it trimmed. ut if a hedge belongs to one neighbour and is growing into next doorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden, the next door neighbour is entitled to invite them to give it a trim. he neighbour is also entitled to trim the hedge themselves, but must return any trimmings to the owner, unless otherwise agreed. his is also the same for overhanging trees or branches. f a neighbour refuses to allow access to their garden, you can apply for access under the Access to Neighbouring and Act and gain a court order.

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LOCAL DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTANTS De’ath Downton Accountancy Ltd 8 KJ Accountancy 72 Newman and Co Accountants 70 Tax Assist Accountants 72 AERIAL SERVICES Andy’s Aerials 46 ANIMAL SERVICES Norfolk Dog Training 32 Potters Animal Feed & Supplies 32 Uplands Way Vets Ltd 32 ARCHITECTURE & PLANNING e Andrew P R Lov 70 Keith Day Architects 24 ARTS & CRAFTS Susan’s Work Basket 39 BATHROOMS AHM Installations 47 PC Bathrooms & Kitchen Ltd 44 Supreme Bathrooms & Kitchens 51 BUILDERS, HANDYMEN & SUPPLIERS DJA Handyman Services 55 NSH Developments Ltd 48 CARE & MOBILITY Able Community Care Ltd 60 Healthcare Homes 79 NorseCare Ltd 62 Kingsley e Healthcar 59 Purely Care 66 CARPENTERS & JOINERS C Howard Carpentry 56 R B Joinery 24 CARPORTS, GLASS VERANDAS & AWNINGS My Space Outdoors 16 CARPETS & FLOORING Eye Flooring 3 CHIMNEY SWEEPS Anglia Chimney Sweeps 22 CLEANING Crystal Clean 55 Home Maid Domestic Cleaning 4 Maid2Clean(Suffolk) Ltd 28 CLOCKS Clive Holmer Clocks 37

COMPUTER, WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES Bailiwick IT Ltd 72 Centiflex 55 Philippa Green Web Design 24 CURTAINS, BLINDS & SHUTTERS Garnet House Drapes 41 DAYS & NIGHTS OUT, TRAVEL, HOLIDAYS Wingfield Barns 9 DRIVEWAYS M&M Surfacing 51 ELECTRICIANS Dave Ramstead Electrician 34 Harling Electrical 37 FINANCIAL, INSURANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL SERVICES Alice Gardner - Equity Release Supermarket 10 D G Financial Services Ltd 13 Greene and Greene 73 MD Wealth Management 71 Mediated Dispute Solutions 72 FUEL MERCHANTS Diss Firewood 25 East Anglia Gas 11 ER & MT Rackham Limited 40 S G Rout Ltd 37 Watson Fuels 19 FUNERALS East of England Co-op 15 Rosedale e Funeral Hom 56 Susan Whymark Funeral Services 66 FURNITURE & RESTORATION Bespoke Handcrafted Furnitur e 41 Philip Hodge 8 GARAGE DOORS, GATES, SHUTTERS & AWNINGS Chapel Doors Ltd 46 Cooks Blinds & Shutters Ltd 38 The Doors Group Limited 42 GARDEN SERVICES A. Waterfield 22 All Seasons Drive And Landscapes 55 Just Lawnmowers 17 Eclipse Gardens & Grounds 22 Eye Gardens 21

Gard n Cox Garden Care 22 JDMA Paving & Landscaping 38 KDG Surfacing 20 Lake and Pond Aquatics 21 P D Garden Services 20 S G Tree & Garden Services 22 The Garden e Enclosur 23 Tomlinson Groundcare Ltd 6 Tree Fellas 27 GROUNDWORKS, DRAINAGE & SEPTIC TANKS Rory J Holbrook Ltd 55 Tim’s Man And Mini Digger For Hir e 24 HEALTH & BEAUTY Diss & Harleston Chiropody 64 Elaine Brown Therapies 64 Geraldine Walters 64 Head 2 Soul 64 Louise Alexander 67 Lucy Keil Foot Health Practitioner 67 Nicola Clarke Foot Health Practitioner 64 Ruth Walters 65 Wax Man 56 HEALTHCARE HM Government 12 IRONING SERVICES Ironed4U 28 39 Pressed-to-Go JOBS Contract Personnel Ltd 70 Home Cleaning Vacancies 43 KITCHENS Kitchen Sense of Harleston 28 Voyager Kitchens 30 PC Bathrooms & Kitchen Ltd 44 Supreme Bathrooms & Kitchens 51 OPTICIANS & EYE SPECIALISTS Cecil Amey Ltd 68 66 Ocuplan Ltd PEST CONTROL Teresa Walker 25 Tim Crease Mole Catcher 32 PLUMBING, HEATING, BOILERS & DRAINAGE Andy’s Oile Boiler Servic 27 Barnards Heating Solutions Ltd 27 Else Heating & Plumbing 27

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next issue to feature local businesses Gasworks South East Kevin de Waal P & D Tank Services Ltd Pat The Plumber Paul Harvey Plumbing & Heating SJL Plumbing T W Services Waterson Plumbing & Heating REMOVALS Van and a Man RESTAURANTS, PUBS, HOTELS, CATERING & FUNCTIONS Cafe Ey Momiji RETIREMENT HOMES Tingdene ROOFING PAC Roofing Rich Walpole Roofing S A Roofing

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CLUES ACROSS 1 lack and white and read all over after news 4 Get to your feet and be counted , 8 Not permitted according to decree igestive problem possibly related to stress 10 A real change for this aristocrat 11 Service thoroughly to ensure continued service 13 Mobile stairs for aircraft mounting 14 rain underground about ondon 16 Not at all approved by those who set the rules 17 Short for a rather longer memory ogger 20 Special gift or outing arranged as a reward 21 Miner of the black stuff 22 Vote for the resolution and reduce into by mental analysis 23 hat spark in someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye it might mean trouble

CLUES DO N 1 Main treasury o cerfirst in importance , 2 irectly opposite in character 3 lamboyant gear turns into a veritable inferno of anger 4 n yme carrying exudate from the oral mucosa n which a water world may be reconstructed 6 lose voluntarily before the team is out 7 our sided plane rectilinear figure with non meeting opposite sides 12 ne remembered long after death 13 Actively exclude, an unwelcome thought perhaps 1 Grab from the aws of disaster 18 ne banished for some time from home 1 Waved to uphold the nation not a paving stone though

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Caring is at the heart of everything we do... Together we respect, with compassion we care, through commitment we achieve

Olive House, Olive Avenue, Newton Flotman, Norfolk, NR15 1PF. Tel: 01508 471718

This purpose built, single storey care home offers extremely high quality residential care for elderly people. All of the bedrooms at Olive House include en-suite facilities, and the home incorporates a welcoming reception area, dining room, many lounge areas, and attractive gardens surround the home, which our residents and their guests regularly enjoy. Saxlingham, The Green, Saxlingham Nethergate, Norwich, Norfolk, NR15 1TH. Tel: 01508 499225

Saxlingham is a magnificent former manor house set in over four acres of much tended lawns and gardens. We provide nursing, residential and palliative care for up to 34 residents. Our care team are passionate about providing truly exceptional care. There are spacious gardens where residents can enjoy views of the local wildlife and surrounding countryside. Walcot Hall, Walcot Green, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 5SR. Tel: 01379 641030

Walcot Hall is set in over 3 acres of well-kept lawns and gardens. We provide exemplary nursing, palliative and respite care for up to 42 residents. The old hall was built in the 19th century and has been extended and refurbished over recent years to provide a variety of comfortable rooms. Residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rooms are arranged over two floors overlooking the lake, garden and surrounding countryside.

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