Village People Norfolk / Suffolk border edition – February / March 22 (Early Spring) by Village People Magazines Ltd

Delivered to over 63,000 homes in Norfolk and Suﬀolk

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

W E LCO M E JA M E S M AY H E W, OUR NEW ART WRITER

RECIPE FOR S P IC ED MEXICAN CHOCOL ATE CAKE

February / March 2022

WIN!

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Norfolk/Suﬀolk Border Edition

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Contents

February/ March 2022

OUT

Seasonal food - celeriac WIN £100 M&S voucher

Memories of Thorpe Abbotts

Animal Farm arrives at Theatre Royal Norwich

Recipe for spiced Mexican chocolate cake

ABOUT

Good news from our region

Book reviews, new releases

Norfolk Family History Society

51 HOME

29 33

GARDEN

Garden Jottings from The Garden Enclosure

W Greenﬁngers with Alan Titchmarsh

W Art with James Mayhew

Canine communication with Julia Collins

Review: a range of handwashes

Poetry Corner - Glenn Sealey from Surlingham

WIN a Home Farm Gin selection pack

Recipe for Tom Kerridge’s Chicken & Coconut Curry

Fashion - dreamy and ethereal style for spring

Fancy a furniture makeover?

Sustainable beauty with Madeleine White

HEALTH, STYLE, FASHION & BEAUTY

JOBS, MONEY

Beneﬁts of vitamin supplement sprays

Refreshing Waters: mission for Africa

Spring interior design tips from Lucy Gleeson

Money - avoiding pension poverty

Skincare with Geraldine Walters

Find a local business or service in our directory

Eye health with Cecil Amey opticians

Exercise your brain cells with our crossword

BUSINESS

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

ADVERTORIAL

to ress

i everyone eet o earle Salon S owner therapist and rofessional obile Wedding ake p rtist since arch 2018. o is incredibly passionate about her businesses and has customers travelling to see their families from the outskirts of ondon to orfolk and Su olk. o is professionally trained, with ITEC VTCT in the beauty and spa industry, and she o ers a wide range of beauty treatments in her ﬁve-star private salon on the edge of Bressingham, Norfolk. This is a gorgeous private location, where you can enjoy peace and quiet away from your busy life, while o takes care of everything and makes sure you are happy and comfortable. o is e cient, warm and friendly, and goes out of her way to deliver excellent customer service, as well as ensuring her salon is always covid safe. She o ers a fantastic range of nail polishes, gels and beauty products, so she can make sure your treatment is always on-trend. The luxury Temple SPA Skincare is available in her salon and mobile business. 6

T B

am ea ty a o

o has recently passed her driving test, and signiﬁcantly grown her professional wedding make up business, which means there are limited spaces available for 0 and clients are already booking for 0 . o thoroughly enjoys giving knowledge, light and conﬁdence to her brides and wedding parties, ensuring everything goes smoothly for their big special day. With o, the bride and her tribe will look and feel ama ing!

A few words from me: Hi everyone, I would like to say thank you to everyone at Village People Magazine and all its readers for their amazing love and support; as a local, independent small businesswoman I really appreciate it. If you haven’t been to see me, please do make a booking. It’s so important to support businesses like me who go out of our way for their customers. I am looking forward to a wonderful year ahead, let’s hope it’s a positive one for everyone.

For more information, contact Jo via www.bressinghambeautysalon.co.uk There’s a full treatment menu and Make Up tab in the header. Alternatively, call 07557344294 or email johearle@gmail.com

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

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

NEXT DEADLINE 23 FEBRUARY April/May (Late Spring issue) Delivered to over 63,000 homes in Norfolk and Suﬀolk

THE AWARD WINNING LO CAL L IF ESTYLE MAGAZINE

W E LC O M E JA M E S M AY H E W, OUR NEW ART WRITER

R E C I P E FOR S P IC E D M E X IC A N C HO C OL AT E C A KE

February / March 2022

WIN!

A GIFT BOX OF HOME FARM GIN

our local illage eople maga ine has two aims to promote local businesses and services in your area, and to provide you, our reader, with a vast variety of useful, interesting and local editorial content. We want to contiunally improve, and we think we’ve done rather well, because we are super proud to welcome the green ﬁngered God, Alan Titchmarsh, as our new gardening writer! Plus, Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kerridge, is on board to share his favourite curry recipe with you. If that isn’t exciting enough, we also welcome a brand-new art writer, ames Mayhew, the award-winning Su olk author, illustrator and artist. He will be introducing you to more of the incredible creative powerhouses that live and work in this area and Village People loves to

champion these innovators. We have an ama ing 0 new local businesses o ering you their products and services for the ﬁrst time in this issue. And check out our great special o ers and giveaways – I’ll be in the queue at ld Buckenham Country Park to claim a free slice of cake when they open their gates on March! We announce all competition winners on our Instagram account, so follow us @vpmagazine. ur print circulation is growing all the time, so if you are a local business and you want to reach more people than AN other local maga ine, give us a call. Roll on the lovely spring weather and stay safe.

Lily

NEW

G A R D EN IN G W I T H AL AN T I TC H MA R SH

WINNER of ﬁve National Publishing Awards

Lily Goulder editor@village-people.info 01284 788623

Norfolk/Suﬀolk Border Edition

GOOD NEWS FROM OUR REGION: oss and grief brought to life orwich Theatre tackles the challenging subjects of loss and grief in their new reative Matters season, which runs across all three orwich Theatre venues orwich Theatre oyal, orwich Theatre layhouse and orwich Theatre tage Two.

Presented in association with Rosedale Funeral Home, Creative Matters – oss and Grief will feature a mix of performances, ﬁlm and workshops to stimulate discussion and make connections through creativity. Sam Patel, Head of Creative Engagement at Norwich Theatre, said Grief and loss have been woven through the last few years, meeting some of us head-on with the loss of loved ones due to the pandemic. While this may not have touched all of us in the same way, bereavement is something we will all have to face. This is why this Creative Matters season seeks to provide a safe and inclusive space to explore our own personal responses to loss and grief. Performances include Who the Who, Who, by M C Theatre Company, on March at Norwich Theatre Stage Two. This is a

one-woman show exploring what happens when you are no longer a daughter. Who are you And will the pieces of the 'life-jigsaw' ever ﬁt in the same way again This is a safe, immersive performance where the lines between performer and audience, and performance and life, are blurred. All of Me is a show about depression and death, written and performed by livier Award nominee Caroline Horton. It’s an intimate and often absurd exploration of wanting to live, wanting to die and what can happen if we sit together in the dark. All of Me is a grudgingly hopeful, occasionally funny, unapologetically dark show about dark things. The show takes place on 0 March at Norwich Theatre Playhouse.

GOOD NEWS

For more details and the full listings of events, contact Norwich Theatre Box Office on 01603 630000 or visit norwichtheatre.org

ou can make a di erence

he local branch of the Motor eurone isease ssociation M is looking for volunteers in orfolk to join a small, friendly team to help them support families a ected by the disease. The organisation needs a secretary, to suit any time that an interested person is able to give, and Association Visitors AVs , who maintain contact with people living with MND, their families and carers. Training, induction and mentoring will be provided travel direct cost expenses are reimbursable. AV udy Burns-Thomson, said Both images are scenes from COLD, showing on 15 March at Norwich Theatre Stage Two

I have met some of the bravest and most courageous people. es, it can be emotional, but the privilege of visiting families in their home and helping them along their journey is so rewarding and worthwhile. If you, or someone you know, has a skill or interest that could support MNDA’s work, please get in touch with Malcolm, Branch Chair, on 0 60 60 06 or email malchubbock hotmail.co.uk.

For more information about MND visit www.mndassociation.org. For information about the branch visit www.mndnorwichandwaveney.org.uk

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GOOD NEWS

Top expert comes to orwich

he ainsbury entre for isual rts has appointed ago ooper as irector of the entre, and rofessor of rt and rchaeology at the niversity of ast nglia . Professor Cooper has spent more than 0 years working on a

diverse range of cultural projects around the world, always centred on the study and communication of visual and material culture. After 0 years as Head of the Americas Section at the British Museum and Director of the Santo Domingo Centre of Excellence for atin American Research, these collaborations have led to a series of innovative exhibitions, artistic commissions and international exchange programmes that challenge traditional museum practice. With a particular interest in using digital technologies to reach new audiences and cut across multiple academic

disciplines, his work spans the subjects of art, museology and archaeology. In addition to his books and exhibitions, he has also written and presented a series of BBC documentaries based on his research and international collaborations. Professor Cooper said Since its inspired creation in the 0s, the Sainsbury Centre has always been a place that breaks the rules in how Art and Culture should be seen and experienced. I am absolutely delighted to be joining such an inspirational institution

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GOOD NEWS

that brings powerful stories to a global audience through its outstanding collections. I can’t wait to start working with the team to develop further the exciting programme of upcoming exhibitions, acquisitions and collaborative projects inspired by the Sainsbury collection, and in many ways also by the worldleading research carried out at UEA.

re you in ﬁne voice orwich based choir, the nglian ingers, is looking for new members to join the group across all four voice parts, but particularly bass and tenor. This friendly, mixed choir of just over 0 voices sings both a cappella and accompanied works, ranging from the 6th century to the present day – something that everyone can enjoy, such as motets and madrigals, modern musical theatre, traditional baroque, classical choral works and folk. Everything from the highly serious to the seriously humorous!

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They give regular concerts and recitals throughout Norfolk, upon invitation, and often help to raise funds for charity. A wide summer programme is planned.

Rehearsals are every Monday from 7.30pm – 9.30pm at United Reformed Church, Ipswich Road, Norwich NR4 6QR. There are no rehearsals from mid-July until the end of August. If you are interested, please email Music Director John Barham, or email jxbandjkb@hotmail.co.uk

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Visit us today for the perfect range of plants for your spring garden or alternatively shop at home online London Road Attleborough NR17 1AY www.classicroses.co.uk 01953 454707 Open: Mon-Sat: 9-5; Sun & B/Hols: 10-4

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BOOKS

Riveting READS We all love a good book. Here’s Village People's recommended selection of some of the best new releases to keep you engrossed!

MYSTERY The Perfect Escape By Leah Konen When her husband Harry walks out after just six months, Sam has never been in more need of a getaway. So when her friends suggest a girls' weekend away, Sam can't accept soon enough… but then things start to go wrong. A gripping thriller. Published by Michael Joseph

FICTION The Maid By Nita Prose Molly the Maid is thrown into the spotlight when she discovers an infamous guest, Mr Black, very dead in his bed. She becomes embroiled in a hunt for the truth, learning who to trust, as she navigates the secret underbelly of the Regency Grand Hotel. Published by Harper Collins

PRACTICAL You Coach You By Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis The UK’s leading career experts Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper will give you the knowledge and tools to coach yourself, helping you to rediscover a love of work, build boundaries and productive relationships, cultivate resilience, while identifying and achieving career goals. Published by Penguin Books

CHILDREN’S I Broke the Internet By Andy McNab and Phil Earle Bestselling author Andy McNab joins forces with award-winning author Phil Earle for this laughout-loud follow-up to Get Me Out of Here!, with fun illustrations by Robin Boyden. Published by Scholastic HISTORY

How Civil Wars Start By Barbara F. Walter Civil wars are the biggest dange er to world peace today, and this n, book shows us why they happen and how to avoid them. Acclaim med expert Barbara F. Walter has advised on political violence everywhere from the CIA to the e US Senate and the United Nations. Published by Penguin Books 14

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MONEY MATTERS

Unlock your property dreams with a lifetime mortgage By Russell Golledge, Director of DG Financial Services

rs Barker is like many of us, she wants to stay in her family home and build an extension so that she can enjoy retirement to the full. The challenge for Mrs Barker is to find a way to finance her home improvements. The route to fulfilling Mrs Barker’s dream is within a lifetime mortgage that raises money from her home’s value. DG Financial Services discussed equity release with Mrs Barker, who is in her late 60s, and this was the ideal route forward – enabling her to stay in her home

and raise money to improve her house. By working with and supporting Mrs Barker every step of the way, we allowed her to navigate the ﬁnancial steps involved in making her dream come true. Bear in mind that a lifetime mortgage can impact your entitlement to means tested beneﬁts, the inheritance you leave, and is subject to lenders’ criteria and conditions. DG Financial Services gave Mrs Barker a personalised illustration, and this attention to detail helped her to make

a decision in her own time. Contact DG Financial Services and we will help you through the process too. Russell Golledge is a director with the family run business DG Financial Services Ltd from Diss, started by his father, and now successfully managing £50 million for their clients. Telephone: 01379 454508 Email: info@dgfs.biz Website: www.dgfs.biz Address: DG Financial Services Ltd, Diss Business Hub (DBH 29), Hopper Way, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4GT. (Mrs Barker’s story is illustrative of our services, to respect client conﬁdentiality.)

HISTORY

Ever wondered a out your family history ver the past two years of uncertainty and lockdown, many people have found time to start researching their family history. The search for information about where we come from and what happened to our ancestors can be a fascinating one and is not as daunting as it might seem at ﬁrst. ou do need to be prepared for unexpected outcomes though Norfolk Family History Society is a charity, run entirely by volunteers, that aims to help people research their family history and record what is found. Although the library on St Giles, Norwich, concentrates on Norfolk material, we can support and guide worldwide research through the use of online sites on our seven computers, which give free access to Ancestry Find ypast and The Genealogist. Although membership starts at only 0 a year, our library at Kirby Hall is open to everyone free of charge. However, members get additional beneﬁts including home access to our

database N RS with over four and a half million records and four maga ines a year. ur membership of just under ,000 is spread over countries! ust under ,000 Family Trees from our collection have been scanned and are available to members on the website. There are monthly oom talks for members on a variety of historical topics, and the calendar for future talks is on our website. Past topics have included Escaping Hitler roughts eluges and ust evils and the very popular Murder Se and Mayhe in English Churches ! ne of the biggest assets of the Society is the small army of volunteers who give up their time to sta the library and help people with their research. ur own car park makes visiting the library easier for those travelling from afar. We are always in need of new volunteers to help run the Society, especially the library. Contact our librarian for more information or just pop into Kirby Hall and leave

your details if you are interested in volunteering. From the basic beginner to the seasoned researcher, all are welcome in the Society and at Kirby Hall. The website is open and the library is open from 0- every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. librarian@nfhs.co.uk www.norfolkfhs.org.uk

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GARDENS

The arden Enclosure ott

If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise It’s lovely down in the woods today, and they’re starting to come alive! k, so it s still a bit early for a picnic, but spring is one of the best times of year to visit some woodland, and with the mild start to winter things are getting going early. lready the ﬁrst snowdrops and aconites are in bloom, and the bluebells and wood anemones are pushing up through the leaf litter. n the edges and in open glades golden celandine and the pale yellow flowers of primroses and cowslips are being sought out by early foraging bees, flying past the mounded rosettes of foxgloves, soon to rise up with stately columns of speckled floral trumpets in shades of purple and white. If you wander

quietly and look between the tree trunks you may see the odd deer or wild rabbit, plus numerous birds flitting about amongst the undergrowth. ook upwards and spot the squirrel drays precariously perched high up in the canopy, and the disused nests of some of our favourite birds, which are now looking for new sites to raise this year’s young. isten too and you may hear the drumming of woodpeckers echoing from somewhere above you. Most of the trees are beginning to bud ready to burst out into fresh leaf growth, but amongst the deciduous varieties clumps of evergreens can be seen coniferous pines and English yew,

spiny holly and the glossy-leaved rhododendron ponticum, its rich purple blooms soon to appear. In the denser areas, scattered ferns are putting out fresh fronds surrounded by moss-covered logs and rich leaf mould.The flowers of most woodland trees are fairly inconspicuous, but at this time of year the long male catkins of ha el drip from bare branches, ensuring a good crop of nuts for later on, and pussy willow bursts from the salix stems. ver the ground, dead-nettle and brambles scramble, joined by ivy and honeysuckle, part trailing, part climbing. All of these look so wonderful making the most of their natural woodland setting you’ll just want to own a piece of it. Now you probably haven’t got space for a wood, but all of the plants mentioned have one thing in common they don’t mind a bit of shade and you’ve almost certainly got that, perhaps somewhere along a side path, behind a fence, or in the shadow of the house. These few plants are just a taster, add to them the many other varieties and hundreds of cultivars that are available and you’re in for a feast for your eyes, if not your belly!

Cheers Ken,

The Garden Enclosure, Banham full of Spring cheer!

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Pla n for ts a ll Sea son s!

GARDENS

REENFIN ERS t a t mars Horticultural inspiration, accomplished gardener, talented novelist and much-loved presenter, Alan Titchmarsh, talks to Village People about his favourite things in the garden.

ardens are evolving emerging changing entities in almost every week of the year so when it comes to choosing my favourite plants flowers and sights it s a di cult thing to udge and very much dependent upon the season. I think if a cross-section of people are asked to name the thing in a garden that gives them joy and a feeling of admiration beyond anything else, a good number will choose the rose.

Think about it, is there anything else that o ers such a breadth of colour, such a contradiction of beauty and danger in the sense of a seductive flower and the prickly thorns that linger just a few inches down , or that o ers a bouquet that has melted the hearts of a thousand romantics ! kay, so yes, a rose sometimes can seem so-so, perhaps because we embrace them so fully in our lives, and I accept there is something perhaps even a little cliched about the simple rose

these days. However, I will be so bold as to say this – a garden without a fragrant rose isn't much of a garden at all! For other times of the year, I will pick out certain things that give me incredible satisfaction. I look forward to these coming around, and their emergence is always very special. The first snowdrop in anuary the first da odil in February. These are the types of flowers that mark a change in or a progression of the season, and that always fills me with hope and expectation. ou know these beautiful elements will always arrive, but still, it’s a relief when they do! As for others that feel special, I regularly point people towards penstemons. I think there’s always an expectation that in a professional gardener’s back yard you will have the highest grade of plants and the most di cult to bring to flower, but we all like to

GARDENS

make life easier for ourselves, and the penstemon certainly fulﬁls that brief. It’s hardy, flowers for months, is slug-resistant, and o ers a fantastic spray of colour as a border perennial. I have also really taken a shine to the aubrieta in recent years. We all know what it looks like, it’s that beautiful tumbling purple spray of miniature coloured flowers that will cascade o rocks, boulders and other inhospitable lumps in a way that bring them life and beauty. The flowers themselves almost resemble little four-leaf clovers, and perhaps it’s that expression of happiness and love that makes the aubrieta such a winner in every way. Finally, I would look to the sweet pea. There’s even one named after me, and while I’m not so self-absorbed to pretend

that’s the reason why I like it so much, if there was any variety to be named after me this would be the one. Sweet peas are just so versatile – sow individually in root trainers or in pots ﬁlled with seed compost, choose pretty much any colour across the spectrum, they are perfect in borders, and you can even get the seeds in the ground in any range from November through to une. For me, they are the ultimate, and a great pleasure. f course, tending to a garden is all about personal taste. These are some of my favourites, but I know reading this you may well feel I have it completely wrong. That’s the beauty of gardening – it’s a landscape that’s entirely yours to do entirely what you will with, and we will all agree that’s wonderful.

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Learn a new Craft

this year

LAMPSHADE MAKING

The New Year often brings with it a fresh look at your living space and how you might improve it for the year ahead. Maybe a new cushion or two, or a throw here and there, but have you thought about your lampshades? Lighting is one of the most important aspects of home decorating, in setting the right ambience and your choice of lampshades have a huge part to play in reflecting your personal style. Dannells are experts in the lampshade making industry with over 40 years’ experience of supplying lampshade materials to high street retailers. More recently the company has turned its attention to their creative Needcraft Lampshade Making Kits, allowing anyone to make a professional, stylish and bespoke lampshade for their home. Ideal for complete beginners with no previous craft experience or for crafters with a passion for trying something new. Dannells’ Lampshade Making Kits are easy to make and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, ranging from traditional drum lampshades to modern square and hexagon shades. Suitable as either a pendant light or a table lamp, each kit includes all the high-quality materials needed to make your own shade, including easy-to-follow photo instructions with plenty of tips and tricks for easy assembly. By simply adding your own choice of fabric you can emphasise your interior colour scheme or room style.

Anita has set up

her own Lampsh ade Ma a Business from home - HEARTS & GLIT T

And the opportunities of Dannells’ Lampshade Making Kits don’t stop there! If you have a creative streak and would like to generate some extra income, why not consider becoming a Professional Lampshade Maker. Many of our customers, who start by making just one lampshade, have gone on to create sustainable and profitable businesses selling lampshades by adding their own unique creative twist.

FO L LOW U S @ n e e d c ra f t _ www. d a n n e l l s b l o g .co m We have dozens of video tutorials available and a Lampshade Makers Facebook Group with over 2000 friendly members to support you whether you want to make just one lampshade or are a competent crafter looking for a new business venture.

W W W . D A N N E L L S .C O M

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Lampshade Making is already a very popular craft with thousands of lampshade makers across the UK and Europe. By adding your own creative skills to lampshades, such as fabric printing and design, machine embroidery, and painting, amongst many other crafts, opens opportunities to sell online or direct to the public at craft fairs. So if you have an appetite for creative business and enjoy crafting, making lampshades to sell could be for you.

i n f o @ d a n n e l l s .c o m

0 1 9 9 2 70 03 1 1 27

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SEASONAL FOOD

Celeriac t may not be the most beautiful of veg but underneath its knobbly e terior is a world of potential and delicious dishes featuring that delicate celery flavour. n e cellent low cal low carb alternative to potatoes it s packed full of vital nutrients too. Raw or cooked here are 3 ways celeriac can spice up your diet. The whole hog Scrub clean and trim a whole celeriac. Rub all over with olive oil, and place on a large sheet of baking foil, root side down. Scatter over whole garlic cloves, herbs and seasoning to taste, then wrap the foil tightly around the celeriac, place on a tray and roast in the bottom of an oven for hours at

0C. When cooked, unwrap, cut o the top and dig in. Chip off the old block Pre-heat your oven to 0C. Peel a celeriac and cut into fat chips. Blanch in boiling water for minutes, drain and throw the chips back into the saucepan with tbsp veg oil, sea salt and other seasoning to taste. Toss, then spread the chips over a larrge heavy bak king sh heett and d cook k in the oven for about 0minutes.

ero Grate expectations! This celeriac and carrot remoulade side dish a bit like coleslaw is full of flavour and ready in a flash. Grate a celeriac and one large carrot and put them in a large bowl with a small bunch of chopped dill, 6tbsp light mayo, the juice of half a lemon and salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and enjoy the refreshing crunch!

Is your garden overrun with moles? Do you have a wasp nest? Are your paddocks overrun with rabbits? For ALL your domestic or commercial Pest Control. Woodworm treatment available. No obligation – free survey/quotes. Pest infestation can damage your health and your home. Recent surveys show that numbers of mice/rats and bed bugs found in UK homes are on the rise. As Local Authorities are cutting back on free pest control services. We are here to oﬀer you a service at the right price.

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North Suffolk & South Norfolk Property Specialists Harrison Edge Estate Agents, situated in the historic market town of Eye, specialise in the sale of country and town houses throughout this beautiful part of East Anglia. From the dual points of Eye, in North Suffolk and Diss, in South Norfolk the e xperience of Simon Harrison and associates serves the region whether Buying, Selling, Renting or establishing the value of a particular property related asset by way of planning permission and development.

Our Services include n n n n n n n

Sales & Lettings Property Management Bespoke Marketing Packages Widespread Internet Coverage Accompanied Viewings Unrivalled Local Knowledge Free Market Appraisals

Call Us On: 01379 871563 Or email us at: property@harrisonedge.com Visit our website: www.harrisonedge.com

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To be in with a chance of winning a M voucher, simply read this maga ine from cover to cover and ﬁnd Bella the Beagle. he looks exactly like the picture of her, but much smaller How to enter the com etition Visit www.village people.info and follow the links to the competition page. Closing date is 18 March 2022 and the usual Village People rules apply.

Where Bella was hiding in our previous issue: The Space – Page 61

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LOCAL HISTORY

Memories of Thor e A

otts

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

 The Lion, in 1912, was the only pub in the village at that time. The landlord was William Baliant, who was also a bricklayer. The pub is now closed.

 This 1925 postcard shows Thorpe Abbotts School, at

the entrance to School Lane, which was built in 1862 for 60 children. The headmistress at this time was a Miss FM Powell. The building is now private houses.

 Thorpe Abbotts Place, in

6, was a delligh htffull mansion owned by the two Kay sisters, who were also the principal landowners in the village. This photograph was taken by Ernest Abraham, who was the o cial local war photographer during the - war and travelled with troops while they were training in the area.

 The Street, in 1907, looked very diﬀerent to how it is today. The population at this time was just over 200.

LOCAL HISTORY

 These old houses, seen here in n 0, were lived in by people wh ho worked on local farms. New ho ouses have now been built on otther side of the street.

 Dated around

 Harvest time in the summer of , shows l-r Reggie Venton, Vera Ruddock and oe Forman in a ﬁeld adjacent to the airﬁeld.

0, this postcard shows the village Post ce, which was run by Mrs ouise Debenham. She also ran the local blacksmiths, which her husband’s family had owned for generations.

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

Else Heating & Plumbing Oil and d Gas Installlatiion Oil Fired Pressure Jet Boiler Servicing & Plumbing

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THEATRE

o d dar new adaptation of nimal arm, the world famous fable of revolution and its aftermath, is heading to orwich Theatre oyal from March. Reimagined by an awardwinning creative team, this George rwell classic has been brought into the modern day for a dynamic and daring take on this timeless story. More Trump than Russian revolution, this is a twist on the classic tale, making it a must-see for audiences of all ages. Children’s Theatre Partnership, the group behind the production, creates bold and imaginative theatre for young people, engaging new audiences and aiming to inspire a life-long love of theatre. Suitable for ages

a d dy am

and up, this hard-hitting story is adapted to not only engage, but identify with even the youngest of audience members. Animal Farm is directed by Robert Icke, whose version of co-adapted and directed with Duncan Macmillan was a smash-hit in the West End and on Broadway. It also features puppetry designed by Toby li , whose credits include War Horse, and set design by four-time livier award winner Bunny Christie. Animal Farm 9 – 12 March For more information, call the Norwich Theatre Box Office on 01603 630000 or visit norwichtheatre.org

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CAKE RECIPE

S iced Me ican Chocolate Cake This simple but delicious chocolate cake is a cinnamon and chilli flavoured winner. Chipotle chilli flakes give it a smoky medium heat, and Ancho a touch of fruitiness. Whichever you use, increase the chilli as you prefer, but aim for a gentle warmth, not a ﬁery heat! Serves 10 340kcal 39g carbs per slice

INGREDIENTS Cake: 150g dark chocolate (at least 55% cocoa solids) 1 teaspoon Chipotle or Ancho chilli ﬂakes (see tip) 150ml milk 120g soft brown sugar 130ml vegetable oil 2 eggs

Tip:

1 teaspoon baking powder 1 heaped teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of salt 240g plain ﬂour Good quality cocoa powder for dusting (we use Green & Black’s) Fresh chillies for decoration (if desired)

METHOD 1. Break the chocolate into pieces in a large bowl set over simmering water. Sprinkle with the chilli flakes. nce melted, keep over the heat and stir in about tablespoons of the milk until you have a smooth paste. Set aside to cool slightly. 2. Preheat the oven to 0 C. Grease and line a 0cm deep cake

Do not use powdered chilli – this often contains oregano, paprika and other unwelcome ﬂavours

tin. Add the remaining milk to the slightly cooled chocolate and whisk in. Add the sugar with the oil and beat until combined.

4. eave to cool in the tin for 0 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Break in the eggs and whisk for - minutes until frothy. Sprinkle on the baking powder, cinnamon and salt then sift in the flour. Fold in gently until completely combined. Pour the batter into the tin and bake for about 0 to minutes until a skewer comes out clean. The top may crack, but don’t panic – this is a rustic cake, and the cocoa powder will disguise most cracks!

The Pennoyer Centre’s volunteer BakeForce make delicious cakes for sale in the caf , which won the EDP Norfolk Food Drink Best Baking Award. The caf is open Mon-Sat from 0am to pm. www.pennoyers.org.uk 01379 676660 The Pennoyer Centre, Station Road, Pulham St Mary, Norfolk, IP21 4QT

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Maltings Barn, Hinderclay Rd, Wattisfield, Diss, Suffolk, IP22 1NF 41

ART

From the dark into the light Village People is delighted to welcome a brand new art writer – award-winning Suﬀolk author, illustrator and artist, ames ayhew

Jacqueline Croft in her studio

he festivities of Christmas are now ust a memory and we are all impatient for spring. erhaps this year more than ever the early signs of new life as we emerge hopefully from the pandemic seem more precious than ever. ou may ust catch the last of the snowdrops at ckworth ouse or Sheringham ark or see glowing aconites huddled around burgeoning trees with swollen buds. The days grow longer the skies brighter. The turning seasons, and the ever changing elements of nature have proven to be especially signiﬁcant for Norfolk-based artist acqueline Croft. Hers is an uplifting, hopeful story that many of us can be inspired by, especially after these last two di cult years. There are many elements to acqueline’s work. She enjoys playing with materials, and when I visited her bright, light-ﬁlled studio, she had me joining in. 42

Prepared boards were waiting for me, with gesso primer and imprinted textures. eaves, paper, bits and bobs, says acquie. Flat is quite dull. Texture you can sand back, it’s more organic. This process of serendipitous exploration seems to suit her especially well. Things are not planned, and old canvasses are often reworked into something new, layer upon layer, then rubbed back and painted again. There is clingﬁlm to lay upon watercolour washes, and paints galore, squirrelled away in wooden drawers. acquie has me using brave colour combinations, and using a non-dominant hand to draw a dried seed head. Experiment. Play. These are words that crop up time and again in our conversation, as we talk about how acquie emerged from her personal dark, into a gradual light. My breakdown was the catalyst for discovering art, says acquie. I think it is for many

people – when you have a sudden change in your life you have the potential to do di erent things. If you are a busy person, to stop suddenly is really di cult. Having abandoned art at school, acquie went into teaching, and ended up a head teacher at a school in Su olk. I’d always been capable, the one who did everything, she says. But after being a successful career person, there I was, suddenly unable to even talk or leave the house. acquie’s husband Nick, also a retired teacher, became her full-time carer during this very di cult year. In time, acquie realised he needed a break from looking after her, and on a walk through Bungay she stopped outside the Art Trading Company Bungay’s excellent art shop and saw a painting course advertised. Although the thought of being alone with people she didn’t know was daunting, she said to Nick, I think I could do that. It proved

ART

to be an incredibly important decision for them both. For acquie, something clicked. She’d found a safe space where she could simply play with art materials and colours, where she could learn, nurture new skills, and quietly heal. The course, run by artist Michele Holland now proprietor of a shop called Mouse, in Bungay proved ideal. It was very di cult initially – being left, admits acquie. But gradually her confidence grew and she began to look forward to these art sessions, and grew to enjoy the company of others. Michele was very encouraging and positive – a big surprise. It just gradually took o from there. ther courses followed, and a body of work was created, largely unseen by anyone outside acquie’s small, trusted circle of family and friends. Then, an artist due to exhibit at the Fisher Theatre in Bungay pulled out, and they needed someone to fill the slot. acquie was persuaded, and found herself embarking on a solo exhibition – and to her surprise sold a substantial number of paintings. It was exhausting I couldn’t paint for a time afterwards, says acquie. But gradually the urge returned. A triumphant second exhibition at the Fisher Theatre followed. Throughout this time acquie continued to explore and experiment, joining other courses and constantly exploring possibilities. In particular, a course with Martin Kinnear, of the Norfolk Painting School, inspired her to learn more about colour theory, and reinforced her love of oil painting. As acquie shares sketchbooks, half finished canvasses, and stacks of old work, I venture that the thing that really binds her work together is nature. A love of

the natural world, of landscape, of place. She agrees, and talks about her daily dog walks on utney Common, that vast open space that once hosted Bungay horse races, memorably captured by Su olk-born artist Alfred Munnings. The common is just an inspiration. It’s unpredictable, it’s seasonal… It is indeed a glorious myriad of fragmented streams and brooks that forms this part of the Waveney Valley. The monumental skies, the water meadows and wildlife, bird song and the coming and going of the seasons, all seem to be reflected in her work somehow. A recent canvas explores all four seasons in one painting, focussing on the solid things that remain – the tree shapes that are there all year round – and the transitory things like foliage that come, change, go, and return in the spring. ther paintings capture a hint of light on water, like the streams that are all but hidden by reeds, and the shifting patterns of light through trees and branches and leaves. These are paintings one can wander into, and be lost in. acquie continues to

explore and discover new ways of being creative. Nowadays, she enjoys making art with her grandchildren, too. Up in her studio they explore and play together, using exciting and unusual materials. acquie frames their art, making it extra special. Despite the two hugely successful exhibitions, acquie eschews the modern trappings of social media and websites, sensing that an overly commercial agenda would inhibit her joy in the playing and experimenting. Instead, she quietly allows her paintings to be hung here and there. If you visit the beautiful market town of Bungay, you might be lucky enough to see some of acquie’s paintings at the Cork Brick Gallery or perhaps Bigod’s Kitchen, next to the castle. If you happen upon her work, take a moment to lose yourself, and be transported into her rhapsodic landscapes – these glorious celebrations of nature. Web: jamesmayhew.co.uk Insta & Twitter: @mrjamesmayhew Cork Brick Gallery: corkbrickgallery.co.uk 43

CANINE BEHAVIOUR

ar e

o s POOCH !

Blogger and qualiﬁed Dog istener’ ulia Collins reveals how touch can help us to bond and communicate better with our furry pals f the ﬁve senses we possess, touch is probably the one we are most able to share closely with our dogs. ew of us have failed to appreciate the soothing, heart warming e ect of ru ling or stroking the coat of a friendly dog. It has been proven many a time just how therapeutic this contact is for us. I wonder if tapping into the clear, uncomplicated energy of an animal, powerfully if sometimes temporarily due to our temperaments and priorities feeds us something we lack in our human, driven way of life As well as appreciating this beautiful source of comfort, we

can also use the art of touch to communicate with our dogs in many other ways. Reassurance While it’s unwise to sympathise’ with a frightened dog, endorsing and joining with their fear with there, there, baby’ cuddling – it is hugely helpful to demonstrate calm, dependable leadership. A conﬁdent, reassuring touch and attitude invites a nervous dog to join your stronger, una ected approach. Instruction Dogs very easily become ﬁxated on things. I have often found it very e ective to flick my dog on the shoulder or chestt with the back of my hand to o bring their attention back to me and away from the distraction – be it someth hing running on the ho ori on, the postman n or bin men’s arrival, or obsessiion with a toy. This action can snap your furry friend out of an ob bsessive I want it, I waant it’ mode by interrup pting with Hey! Pay attention!’ Praise Nearly alll our dogs enjoy an nd appreciate an edible trreat when th hey have su uccessfully co ompleted a taask. Don’t

we nearly always accompany this with a stroke or pat We want to convey our pride, admiration, a ection and pleasure and do so instinctively! If we bump into our dog or accidentally step on a paw or tail, we automatically say sorry and caress the dog, stroking the head, gently cradling the o ended area I’m sure most dog owners recognise the comfort a dog can give, leaning against us when we’re relaxing, or even upset. To convey the deep love we feel for our dogs, we smile at and touch them many times a day. In fact, I bet you do so as frequently as you interact with the humans sharing your home! Every time we look into our pet’s eyes and stroke their soft, warm coat, aren’t we so, so lucky to experience the trust and love they beam back at us ! Parle Vous P CH ! articles are also available on the racle, an audio information maga ine for visually impaired listeners, which is part of Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspapers. To access all the Talking Newspaper recordings, go to www.watn.org.uk

Julia Collins @walksoﬂifessuffolk www.walksoﬂife.co.uk

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BEAUTY

HANDS, FACE, SPACE a d a ds a a

Five handwashes that oﬀer sanitation and sumptuous aromas across a range of budgets.

FOR LUXURY AESOP REVERENCE AROMATIQUE 00ml, The Aesop range, from Australia, o ers you the chance to luxuriate with a golden, shimmering formula, enriching the skin while o ering an aroma that begins with milled pumice, before moving on to smoky woods and uplifting herbs.

FOR TRIED & TESTED MOLTON BROWN MESMERING OUDH ACCORD & GOLD 00ml, Molton Brown are the top dogs in the handwashing world – each bottle o ering fragrance that spans top notes of cinnamon and spice, down to bas ase layers of rich essential oils. Mollton’s extensive range includes Blue Maarquis and Heavenly Gingerfly.

FOR CONTINENTAL QUALIT TY LE PETIT MARSEILLAIS M ORGANIC CHERRY BLOSSOM 00ml, 0 The Petit Marseillais handwashes are as fairly priced as their body lotions and shampoos, but there is a backdrop to all their aromas that brings about notions of travel, Gallic flair and breathless abandon.

THE VEGAN CHOICE DR BRONNER’S 4-IN-1 ORGANIC SUGAR SOAP (PEPPERMINT) ml, 0 Dr Bronner combines moisturising strength with 00 per cent organic ingredients and a fair trade slant to produce a peppermint soap that carries along with it hints of grape and shikakai. ust as good for body and hair as hands and available in emongrass ime, avender and Tea Tree.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND FAITH IN NATURE GRAPEFRUIT & ORANGE 00ml, The Faith in Nature brand comes equipped with a strong badge of sustainability and recyclability, with a rang nge of fragrances inclu ncluding avenderr Geranium, Coc oconut and Dragon Fruit.

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If you haven’t visited us here before at CTS, please take a look at our website or give us a call for up to date prices. We offer a free local delivery service on orders over £20 within a 10 mile radius or come along and visit us at Mill Lane. CTS DIY & Building Supplies in Mill Lane, Pulham Market is open to the public and trade from 7.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and between 8.00am and 12noon on Saturdays.

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POETRY

oetry Corner These superb poems are by Glenn Sealey from Surlingham, who grew up in both Cairo and Indonesia. He loves photography, travel, and motorbike touring and has published poetry and children's books. Are you a poet from Norfolk or Suffolk? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Email a selection of poems and a bit about you to editor@village-people. info for the chance to be featured in a future issue.

CABLE AND VINES When chalk board moves are waning When computers hum no sound When business cards are numbers Then instinct is found

A mystery now is the mind A complexity of dense For no matter how it 'should' be happy It’s not as simple as sense

And though we like our bicycles ur cogs, our screens, our nouns There is no stronger meaning When the wolves our flesh have found

No social structure standing No ticking every box Can guarantee the clouds won't cover r open all the locks

To every perfect beauty With eyes across the way This glance can climax meeting That smile can make a dayy

We are a complex creature We are though not alone And everyone is di erent A comfort to be known

WHAT ARE THE GLOWS WE SEE Bring back all the memories Swing on in with me Wrap them in a ball of twine And never let them leave

I pass you on this twine of mine First encase some tales of ours Throw it to the skies above et it dance upon our stars

Tear up all the photographs I shall tell you how it went Take a chair and pour a brew I’ll show you what they meant

Then pick out any glow you wish Unravel every nook But replace each strand thereafter For another one to look

Touch and squee e my weathered face Stroke these labyrinthed, wrinkled paths Share then what is whispered And I’ll answer what you ask

We were the lost gatekeepers We were each other’s tales We are involved in many We are these endless scales

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GIVEAWAY

njoy the taste of ome arm in – o s ome arm in is a fantastic local producer of small batch flavoured gin, and illage eople is o ering four lucky readers the chance to taste it for themselves and win a ome arm in miniatures ift election ack. This pure and natural artisan flavoured gin, made and bottled at Home Farm, Hethersett, is the brainchild of Nev everett and Paul Dunnett, who set up the business in 0 . We had a simple shared goal – to earn a living doing something we are passionate about and enjoy, so going to work doesn’t feel like work, says Nev. Home Farm Gin is crafted

and bottled with love, by hand, with help from Matilda our copper gin still, in small batches using only natural ingredients and pure Norfolk water from our private water supply on the farm. The Home Farm Gin Gift Selection comprises three cl bottles of Strawberry Mint Gin, Raspberry Gin and ondon Dry Gin. They come in a lovely presentation pack,

making an ideal gift for any occasion… or for yourself.

Competition Giveaway

To be in with a chance of winning, simply visit www.village-people.info and follow the links to the competition page. Closing date is 18 March 2022 and the usual Village People rules apply. For more information from creators of premium, handcrafted, artisan gin, visit homefarmgin.co.uk

DO YOU NEED A CLEA EANER? WE CAN HELP!

We provide a regular weekly or fortnightly cleaning service from just £13.50 per hour (minimum 2 hours per visit). Our cleaners are insured, carefully selected and love to clean. S NER

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We offer a simple low cost solution to your storage needs. Our new steel containers with thick plywood ﬂoors and high quality door seals ensure that your goods come out in the same condition they went in. We are conveniently situated on the A143 in Wortham just minutes from Diss. COMPETITIVELY PRICED NEW CLEAN DRY UNITS WITH EASY ACCESS MINIMUM CONTRACT OF ONLY ONE WEEK BUSINESS AND DOMESTIC USE ENTRY 7 DAYS A WEEK 24 HOUR CCTV

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TOOL HIRE

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RECIPE

Tom Kerridge s Chicken Coconut Curry Award-winning British Michelin-starred chef, Tom erridge shares one of his favourite curry recipes with Village People. Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 2 onions, ﬁnely chopped 8 garlic cloves, grated 4cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and grated 2 tsp sea salt ﬂakes 1 tsp each ground ginger, turmeric, cumin and cinnamon 1 tsp chilli powder 400ml can coconut milk

I’ve always been e usive about curries. For me, the hotter, the better! Not only is that a taste preference for me, but it’s scientiﬁcally proven that when we eat spicy chillies our brains are tricked by the heat into releasing endorphins, which results in a natural high. So you get a huge food sensation on multiple levels. My curry dishes make use of homemade sauces stu ed full of my favourite spices – curry

METHOD 1. Pour a little oil into a large saucepan. Add the onions and cook over a low heat for 0– minutes, or until they start to colour. 2. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for – minutes, or until the onions are golden. Add the

leaves, turmeric, paprika and my secret ingredient, vinegar. I’ve always found the acidity of the vinegar complements the spice fantastically, and I recommend you try it. The curry scene is really part of British food heritage now, so I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe, with its unique combination of flavour, heartiness and sensory overload.

ginger, salt and all the dry spices, stir and cook for – minutes, or until fragrant. 3. Add the chicken and wait until cooked through. Now pour in the coconut milk and chopped tomatoes and stir. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 0– minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.

200g chopped tomatoes 50g desiccated coconut 2 hot green chillies, thinly sliced 1 lemon, juice only 6 skinless and boneless chicken thighs 6 tbsp roughly chopped coriander 4 tbsp roughly chopped pickled green chillies Salt and pepper

4. Dry-fry the desiccated coconut in a frying pan until golden. Add it to the curry with the fresh chillies and cook for – minutes, or until thickened. 5. Season with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir in the coriander and pickled chillies and serve in warmed bowls.

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Award winning care homes

Our highly trained care home teams are specialists in residential, nursing, dementia and respite care. With some of the highest care ratings in the UK, we’re here to help you and your family at every step of your journey. If you’re considering care, call 0333 242 8680 or search careuk.com/suffolk

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YOGAHOUSE is a friendly space focusing on women’s health and well-being Private, group classes, and retreats available

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Quote 'The Village People' to receive 10% off your first treatment or attend your first class for free, until spring 22. *Exclusions apply.

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A health & wellness centre for the community of Norfolk.

Whether you're looking for a health and wellness treatment, a class or a space to work from, The Space is your ultimate wellness destination in South Norfolk. Sterling House, Mill Rd, Burston, Diss IP22 5TJ

FURNITURE

Fancy a ilary lice a furniture up cycling and restoration business in iss have worked on hundreds of pieces of furniture since they opened in 2016. Their ethos is to reduce land ll of old furniture by giving it a makeover creating one o statement pieces and bringing tired old family inheritance items back to life. illage eople asks owners am and manda about their business. What are your favourite pieces to work on? We love working on old pieces of furniture which have been inherited or passed down through families. The story those pieces tell – surviving wars, performing di erent roles in homes over the years, reminding people of their childhoods – make them so special. The piece may no longer ﬁt in today’s style of home, but we can turn it into a show-stopping feature piece in a room. Is there any furniture you can’t up-cycle? Not really! If wood has been wet and swollen it can be di cult to

r t re ma eo er repair, and old pieces often have woodworm, which can be treated and filled repaired, or once the worm has been killed the holes can add ama ing character. If you think you might have inherited a priceless antique, it’s worth getting a professional opinion on its value before we paint it! What is the hardest part of the job? ld furniture is handmade and solid and can be quirky in its construction! Bits only fit in certain places, old hinges don’t like being messed with and utility furniture wartime is varnished in a lacquer that bleeds a brown sludge colour through most paint. ver time, doors can drop, drawers swell and hinges break – all of these things can be really tricky and time consuming to fix! How are you helping the environment? For every item of furniture we paint, it’s one less sent to landfill or burnt. We’ve painted hundreds, possibly thousands, of pieces! It also reduces the need for manufacturing, albeit in a small way if people aren’t buying

new, they are reducing their carbon footprint. It’s about doing our bit to reduce waste. Can I do it myself? Absolutely! We stock all the preparation equipment, paint and decorating sundries for people to start painting their own furniture. We’re also on hand to o er help and advice and will be running more workshops to get hands-on experience in 0 .

If you’ve got a piece of furniture you’d like the H&A team to paint, send them a picture via email hello@hilaryandalice.co.uk or Facebook for a quote. Hilary & Alice is open Monday – Saturday in Mere Street, Diss and online (including online shopping) at www.hilaryandalice.co.uk. 61

SUNSTONE Live your life better

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HEALTH

Ne t eneration Health The benefits of intra-oral vitamin supplement sprays

oday we understand that traditional tablet and capsule supplementation relies on a digestive process that has evolved e clusively for food intake. bsorption of nutrients cannot be universally guaranteed especially with the dramatic increase in digestive malabsorption issues such as S Crohn s and Coeliac disease so a new and e ective alternative delivery mechanism has become essential. Traditional tablets and capsules don’t suit everyone. Some of us, particularly children and the elderly, can ﬁnd them di cult to swallow. But an intra-oral spray delivers an active ingredient directly into the bloodstream, rather than relying on primary processing by the digestive system. It produces a spray of perfectly balanced micro-si ed droplets, which are delivered into the mouth and absorbed quickly, providing fast nutrient uptake. This really is the next generation

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plant a tree for every Air Defence ral Spray sold! Given the current problems with the pandemic and the allergic reactions to inhaling irritant pollen particles during the spring, our need for nutritional support increases. Intra-oral vitamin sprays represent the ultimate in convenience – they do not need to be taken with food or water and can be used on the go. These no-pill formulations are clinically proven for optimal absorption, contain no artiﬁcial sweeteners, flavouring or colours, o er tooth-kind formulations and are made in Britain. oung and old alike will ﬁnd them easy to use, and they will give us essential support during di cult times. Ring or email the Natural Food Store, Exchange Street, Norwich for friendly help and excellent advice. Call 01603 613228, or order online at www.shopnaturally.com

CARE IN NORFOLK & SUFFOLK

Tailored to meet your care needs

We are a small friendly group of independent carers. Whether you are elderly, young, convalescing or disabled. We provide compassionate, personal and social care and sit ins within your home, overnight care is available. Working closely together to provide you with the best care to keep your independence within your home.

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Fully trained and insured 63

PRIVATE HEATED INDOOR POOL

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HOME

t ps for the home Award-winning local interior designer, ucy Gleeson, looks at how we can invite spring into our homes

ow the days are feeling much lighter and longer it s the perfect time to give your home a refresh especially as spring is the season of new beginnings. There are lots of ways you can do this and it never fails to surprise me what a di erence you can make to a space simply by making a few little changes. Do you feel you’d like to try out a new room colour Well, how about creating a few mood boards, adding samples of your favourite hues and seeing if they work with furniture that you already have If you’re drawn to a colour combination, put it up in the room and see if you still love it in a week or so. If you really like the paint colour, try it on di erent walls, because the light will a ect how it looks at di erent times of the

day. Spring is an excellent time to do this. We tend to follow nature when it comes to the psychology of interiors and naturally opt for pastel shades this season. But that might not be right for you, so how about some bright accents to represent the bold and beautiful flowers around us If you’re tentative about painting the whole room a new colour, you could try a feature wall. ust adding a few new cushions to go with your scheme will quickly add a nice new pop of colour. If your home is quite neutral, you can really have some fun with patterns. Think about using raw materials, including wood, as they are very symbolic of a brand new start and give a nice organic feel. Naturally, you will ﬁnd yourself layering rooms with much lighter fabrics, such as linen and cotton, for warmer weather. Decluttering is great for the mind. If you are not ready to let go of something, you can always repurpose with a bit of DI , such as turning some old curtains into cushions for another room – or napkins! The other option is to take a photo of the item if you like it but don’t love it, then you can remember it and pass it on to a charity. Another fantastic way to invite spring into your home is by creating some interesting vignettes such as pairing tulips, da odils or freesias with trinkets, seasonal books or a candle. Ideal for an Easter centrepiece or a co ee table. It’s much easier than moving furniture around, although you could do that as well.

If you are tempted to bring lots of plants into your home, this is deﬁnitely a great nurturing hobby. They are very oxygenating and good for us, and green is known to be very balancing. Plus, plants add lots of character and complete a room scheme. So spring is an excellent time to start looking at this option, but maybe try a low maintenance plant at ﬁrst. For more information about Lucy Gleeson Interiors, go to www.lucylovesya.com. Email lucy@lucylovesya.com for a free consultation on a home or business project. 65

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Why your face cream s t enough onsidering the skin contains around water, why is the cosmetic industry so obsessed with hydration nless you have dermatitis, or an underactive thyroid for example, truly dry skin isn t really that common. We all start out with bouncy, young skin, never needing to slap on moisturiser. After our mid- 0’s dead cells build up more quickly and they remain stuck’ to the epidermis the top layers of skin . They’re flatter than the living cells underneath and have no moisture to reflect light. This gives that tight, dry feeling and the perception of dry skin. Most people will put a cream on it and the oils in the product break the dry, tight tension. We might think we are moisturised, but we’re just greased. In fact, moisturisers' were developed in the 60s to market beauty creams. Properly formulated, creams can be excellent delivery systems for some ingredients, but water isn’t one of them. Creams can maintain hydration levels, but only if the skin is already adequately hydrated.

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When looking for good hydrating products here are some familiar favourites Top of the pops has to be hyaluronic acid. It’s not a new thing at all, having been discovered in . ther names used to describe HA include glycosaminoglycan, hyaluran and sodium hyaluronat. Biologically, the most natural form of hyaluronic acid occurs in the human body and is found throughout tissues and fluids including the eyes, cartilage, and joints. The following hydrators are used for their similarity to hyaluronic acid and ability to hydrate, soothe and protect the skin. They might sound familiar. Check your product labels. n Aloe Vera provides superﬁcial flaking of epidermal cells, smoothing and softening the skin.

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Looking Good! 68

HEALTH

e ear on eye tests! Cecil Amey Opticians & Hearing Care are the largest independent pticians and earing Care provider in ast nglia with 10 practices across orfolk Su olk orth orfolk. ere they e plain about the bene ts of having an eye test and what to e pect during your appointment. What is an eye test? An eye test is a vital health check for your eyes. Every adult needs one every two years, and some people may be advised to have a test more often for example people aged 0 or over with a family history of glaucoma, people aged 0 or over and people with diabetes. What happens during an eye test? our optometrist will ask about your medical history, medication and whether anyone in your family has eye problems. ou should tell your optometrist about any di culties you have with focusing, headaches or other problems. our eye test will also look at the following

can be improved for distant and near objects. ow your eyes work together – the optometrist will ask you to look at a letter or object and will then cover one eye at a time to see how well your eyes work together. The pressure inside your eyes – the front of your eye is ﬁlled with fluid, and if the pressure of this fluid rises it can cause sight loss. The optometrist will check the pressure of your eyes at every test once you reach the age of 0. This can be done with a machine that blows a little pu of air on the eye.

Your eye health – the optometrist might shine a bright light close to your eyes to check the inside and outside of the eyes for signs of disease. Alternatively, they look through a special lens which helps give a clear, magniﬁed view of the back of the eye, called the retina.

Your ﬁeld of vision – the optometrist will check how well you can see in the centre and at the edge of your ﬁeld of vision using a test that flashes faint spots of light.

Your vision – the optometrist will ask you to read letters on a chart and use di erent lenses to see how much your vision

Optical Coherence Tomography - OCT Scan There is an additional charge for an CT scan, but the beneﬁts

really are invaluable as it gives an on-going record of the health and condition of your eyes. This clever technology, which is quick and completely painless, allows us to see, in incredible detail, the back of the eye's distinctive layers. This helps our optometrists detect any early signs of glaucoma or other eye-related conditions such as diabetes and macular degeneration. We have CTs in of our 0 practices across Norfolk and Su olk, so please ask about this when booking your next eye test. Do I have to get my glasses from the same optician who carried out the eye test? ABD , the Association of British Dispensing pticians, recommends that you do, to ensure your prescription and spectacle dispense are interpreted and made up correctly. It also ensures that any problems can be handled more easily. cecilameyopticians.co.uk 69

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FASHION N

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BEAUTY

pring is upon us, with its brighter longer days, so now is the perfect opportunity to declutter and update your beauty routine. Every so often it’s a good idea to sort through your beauty products and re-evaluate what your skin needs – it makes getting ready in the morning that much easier and keeps everything feeling fresh!

Check use-by dates Every beauty product should have a symbol of some sort on the packaging to indicate its shelf life. The open jar’ symbol with a number inside tells you how many months you have to use the product after it’s ﬁrst opened, while the egg-timer’ symbol or the words best used before’ give a speciﬁc use-by date. Using a slightly out-ofdate product probably won’t cause serious harm, but it’ss always a good idea to follow the manufacturer's guidelines to avoid bacteria overgrowth and other hygiene problems.

oo ood Feel ood o ood

adeleine White, ex-model, make-up artist and founder of awardwinning local ethical beauty brand, Juni Cosmetics, shows how we can build sustainability into our beauty routine. Here, she looks at how to ‘spring clean your beauty routine’ junicosmetics.co.uk

Refresh your routine ur skin is ever changing and the seasons can make a big di erence to what it needs. As the weather turns to spring and starts to warm up, you mayy ﬁnd that your winter moisturiser is feeling too heavy and oily, or perhaps you’re spending more time outside and need a higher SPF. Whatever you need, now’s a good time to make the change.

Recycle and donate Most beauty products are extremely di cult to recycle because of the multiple materials used in the packaging and the way they’re assembled. With over billion units of beauty packaging being produced worldwide every year, it’s no secret that something radical needs to be done! TerraCycle is the global leader in hard-to-recycle materials, with drop-o locations in places like ohn ewis and The Body Shop, so work through your stash and recycle what you can. But don’t feel too optimistic about these methods – choosing plastic-free, such as glass or aluminium, and refillable products in the first place is usually a far better option than relying on recycling plastic which isn’t as eco-friendly as it sounds . If you have any unopened or lightly-used products, consider donating them to non-profit Give and Makeup, who will distribute them to women and children in need.

Update your make-up look As with your skincare routine or wardrobe, making a few subtle changes to your make-up look will help you feel e ortlessly on-trend. In the spring months, I tend to reach for a lighter base like a tinted moisturiser, and opt for slightly brighter lipstick shades. ne of my favourite tricks is to use a pinky-coral lipstick on both lips and cheeks for a fresh look. junicosmetics.co.uk 72

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REAL LIVES

eart

ss o for Africa

Norfolk journalist, Sandie Shirley, spotlights the inspiring stories of men and women from the region and beyond that have seen them reach for victory. For more stories visit Facebook Refreshing Waters Christian Media. n empowering mission for a struggling imbabwe community struck an immediate chord with arolyn kittrall, who helps support several outh orfolk churches to bring change and growth through practical initiative and insight. Carolyn’s homeland is imbabwe she knew the depths of poverty and the heights of prosperity and yearned to be involved with a mission to ease su ering and injustice – but no doors opened until she moved to England years ago. When she joined the Upper Tas Valley Beneﬁce in her neighbourhood, she learnt of its strong historic links with a church mission in Africa and became an e ective liaison between the Norfolk and African churches to help raise awareness and rally support. The mission, instigated by Reverend ames Hay Upcher almost years ago, was named All Saints Wreningham’, because his father was Rector of Wreningham and Ashwellthorpe. Church warden and treasurer, Christine Minns, was born next door to Wreningham Church and has been a member of its Parochial Church Council for years. I have seen a resurgent heart for the African Anglican mission, sparked 0 years ago when ames Hay Upcher’s great niece from Sheringham approached the church, making it aware of the continuing imbabwe mission and its needs, explains Christine.

The benefice has since helped finance a new primary school and church and supports a community that includes orphans and subsistent farmers. It hopes to enhance living standards, education and health where the mortality rate is high disease, including AIDS, covid and malnutrition is evident, and essential needs are often unmet. Its quest is also to bring self-empowerment where there is unimaginable soaring inflation and a failing health service. The mission is bolstered through ongoing communication and reciprocal visits. Carolyn visited four years ago and met Archdeacon Tapiwa Chatikobo, along with his wife bvious and family, after their growing communication. ver the years, she has helped forge benefice links with various new and changing priests, one even named his daughter after her. Friendships have developed by exchanging letters, parcels, telephone calls and WhatsApp messages – emails are unavailable. Her visit highlighted the grim realities, as political situations continue to hamper welfare and reform for the poor and marginalised. Many parents, some teachers, cannot a ord school fees or uniforms, so children are denied an education, perpetuating the poverty cycle. School resources are meagre and outdated books are torn, faded and fragile. Transport is non-existent.

Carolyn (right) with Archdeacon Tapiwa Chatikobo, wife Obvious and son, in Zimbabwe

Children walk miles in the dust and heat to attend lessons, while the new school curriculum is impossible to implement without expensive modern technology. Desperate need continues, with big hopes for solar panels, running water, electricity, repairs, and school resources, including a vegetable garden, so the children can eat the produce and learn about gardening. But with God’s resources we can ﬁnd a way to make a di erence and work with them to see their potential and achieve their goals to rise above their circumstances, says Carolyn, who is planning a future visit. For more information, email Carolyn: cjskittrall@gmail.com. She is also available as a speaker (www.masvingo.anglican.org)

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A D V E R T O R I A L

WHO GETS THE DOG?

Emma Alﬁeri, Specialist Family Lawyer at Greene & Greene solicitors, looks at the options with family pets and divorce

t’s always difficult for all parties and their family when going through a divorce or separation, but what happens to the family pets? This is a growing issue, given that since the start of the pandemic many households in the UK have acquired a pet for the ﬁrst time, and some have spent hundreds or even thousands of pounds on their pooches.

Pets are considered to be an asset and are classed in the same category as other valuable items like cars and jewellery. Ideally, separating couples should reach a mutual decision as to who retains the pets, but if that’s not possible, what happens? Some dogs are registered with the Kennel Club and therefore one party will be able to prove they are the registered owner of the pet. If there is no such record, other factors can be taken into account to try and determine who the owner is, such as who cared for the pet, who bought the pet, the owner name on any microchip, or the name of the person registered with the vets. Overall, the parties would be encouraged to try and settle the matter between them, and ultimately focus on the pet, in terms of who will have the most time and resources to care for the animal, rather than focusing on their own needs. If these discussions do not work, then mediation might be a way to work through the problem – as well as any other outstanding issues which may be in dispute. If an agreement cannot be reached, the separating couple can apply to the Court to deal with the issue as part of the divorce proceedings (financial remedy) and the Court’s approach to the issue would be the same as for any other asset. Although either party would be entitled to take the matter to the family court, unless the value of the pet is significant or there are other financial issues in dispute, the Judge would likely take a dim view of Court disputes regarding family pets. This is in light of the likely disproportionate legal costs and the limited resources of the Court.

If parties are unmarried, then the advice would be that if agreement cannot be reached, either party may apply to the small claims court in the same way that they could seek to recover any other asset. Emma Alfieri is a Specialist Family Lawyer at Greene & Greene solicitors and is praised by clients in the latest Legal 500 [UK 2022 edition] as “efficient and good with clients.” Emma has a wealth of experience advising clients throughout Suffolk and Norfolk on family and matrimonial matters. Based at Greene and 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 would like to discuss any issues highlighted in this article, please contact Emma on 01284 717459 or emmaalfieri@greene-greene.com

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Are you r t e r s of outliving your savings hether you have just started out on life s journey, or counting the days to retirement, pension planning should be high on your wealth management agenda. owever, you will have very di erent needs and objectives depending on which part of the journey you are on. The earlier you start planning, the easier it will potentially be to create the retirement lifestyle you want. The stark reality is that the majority of us need to save more. We all must accumulate more, when we are earning, to meet the extra costs of living longer. The decisions we make today will dictate the standard of living we will enjoy in retirement. The golden rule is to determine exactly how much you are going to need in retirement – and to start planning for it now. Delays cost money, but making worthwhile contributions need not be that di cult. Making pension contributions could be seen as a necessary expense they should not be an afterthought. Budgeting for a regular monthly amount towards any pension savings could be considered as an integral part of business or household budgeting, just like the heating and lighting bills. Remember that making annual or single contributions has the possibility of buying into the market at the wrong’ time. Monthly contributions help to smooth out the e ect of fluctuations in unit prices. Those relying solely on the State Pension to see them through

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Village People Norfolk / Suffolk border edition – February / March 22 (Early Spring)

Articles inside

Exercise your braincellswith ourcrossword

Money-avoidingpension poverty

Sustainable beautywith Madeleine White

Eyehealthwith CecilAmey opticians

Springinteriordesigntips from Lucy Gleeson

Fancyafurnituremakeover?

Recipe forTom Kerridge’s Chicken &CoconutCurry

Benefitsofvitamin supplementsprays

Poetry Corner -GlennSealey from Surlingham

Caninecommunication with Julia Collins

Recipe forspiced Mexican chocolatecake

W Greenfingerswith Alan Titchmarsh

MemoriesofThorpe Abbotts

W ArtwithJamesMayhew

Good newsfrom ourregion

Bookreviews, newreleases

Seasonal food -celeriac