YLM May 2016 | #71

YOUR LIFEST YLE MAGAZINE

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This month

MORRIS DANCING seren papercuts

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Playing the Glad game

May 2016

NEW! READER PROFILE

Evie Rodwell loving life in Norfolk & Suffolk

award - winning GYMNAST

CHARM: THE NEW SUPERPOWER /// RHS CHELSEA: WHICH GARDENS we’re looking out foR /// What are we really eating?

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Also your lif e story Peter Gilling

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Your Lifestyle Magazine for Norfolk & Suffolk

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contents

Issue #71 | May 2016 -

let’� play!

11 mayday mayday!

confessions of a morris dancer

19

31

11 STORIES | COMMENT | CAPTURE | HOME & GARDEN | FOOD & DRINK | HEALTH & BEAUTY VENTURE | MOTORING | FASHION | EVENTS DIARY

loving life in Norfolk & Suffolk

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yOUr LifEStyLE mAgAzinE PrESEntS

if you have a tale to tell you could end up here!

ALL SHOCKED UP # august 2015

WHAt’S yOUr LifE StOry?

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loving life in norfolk & Suffolk

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CONTENTS

45 Do you have a story to tell? Submit your story via 01379 669299 | info@ylm.co.uk

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55

C O V ER Wendy Aiken Photography

READER PROFILE 17 _

WETLAND TREES 28 _

NOT SO SWEET HOME 49 _

Peter and Margaret from Riddlesworth

Wetland trees include the willows, alder and white poplar

The Myth of Common Law Marriage

YOUR LIFE STORY PETER GILLING 19 _

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN Gabriel’s Garden?

31 _

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS COVER STORY 51 _

“ I was born on 2nd November 1948 to one of the coldest winters on record.”

The marvellous month of Mayll

We catch up with Evie and Jo

WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? 36 _

featured artist 55 _

Taking time to look at the packaging

Seren Papercuts

PRETTY MUDDY 23 _ The Park Hotel,Diss prepare to get splattered for charity

BOOGIE BACK 25 _ “The one thing about getting on a bit is you become more accepting of yourself. You know what and who is important in your life.”

TOP SKINCARE & MAKEUP TIPS 39 _

Your Lifestyle Magazine for Norfolk & Suffolk

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Still time…

61 _ “The evidence suggests that I’m not as fit as I once was!”

Keeping your products at their very best

SPRING TRENDS 40 _ What we’re wearing this spring

showtime 27 _ RHS Chelsea Preview

Playing the Glad game 45 _

keep yer heel down bor! 29

Life can be tough on the M25!

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Widow -

He saw her standing with her frozen heart, with only a dog to buy for.

She didn’t see him. with his split bag of peas gently stoning the floor.

He watched her pick mushrooms, swinging her basket as she made for the door.

Where packing her bags and paying with plastic, distracted, she seemed to ignore Her heart which he held up calling to her, Won’t you be needing this anymore?

What would she lose next?

She laughed and said yes, she could feel it beginning to thaw.

Yes, her heart was beginning to thaw

Words by Dean Parkin

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WELCOME

ENQUIRIES T 01379 669 299 E info@ylm.co.uk

BY POST

THE YLM FAMILY PUBLISHER Wendy Aiken wendy@ylm.co.uk CREATIVE & EDITORAL Ben Aiken ben@ylm.co.uk ACCOUNTS Janet Fairweather janet@ylm.co.uk DISTRIBUTION Dayburst Couriers 07810 852 089 dayburst@diss.co.uk

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Contributors Geir Madland Bridget McIntyre Amanda Church Joan Garnham Gabi Reid Louise Priest Mark Aiken Phil Burton Katrina Burton Sue Johnson Kyle Brooks

SUBSCRIPTIONS Enquiries to info@ylm.co.uk using the word ‘Subscribe’

YLM is published by Circuit Media (P&L) Ltd. Disclaimer: The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate but the publisher can not assume responsibility for errors or omissions. Whilst reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements the publisher will not accept any resulting unsatisfactory transactions. They will, however, immediately investigate any written complaints. © Circuit Media (P&L) Ltd, 2016

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felt so inspired by her and her mum that we really wanted to work more with them both.

We have also asked Mark Aiken (Papa, my father-in-law), to explain the origins of ‘Keep your Heal down Bor’. I know lots of our readers enjoy reading it and understand what it’s all about.

Some how after all these years I am still clueless and have no idea what’s it all about ha ha ha.

We often ask for life stories from our readers and I was chuffed to bits to receive one from Pete Gillings and you can read it on page 19. Pete is a local legend and he always makes me laugh, we recently watched Pete on Come Dine With Me on Channel 4. It was so funny and I have a photo of father-in-law, mother and husband

laughing their heads off watching it. Papa was laughing just as much when reading Pete’s story while sat at our kitchen table drinking a coffee, and repeating parts of the story out loud. Thank you Pete for sending us your life story. If any one else fancies sharing their story as always get in touch we love hearing from you.

Well I may see you at Weird and Wonderful Wood, have a lovely May everyone.

Your Lifestyle Magazine for Norfolk & Suffolk

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H

ello and welcome to the May edition. We have another jam-packed edition for you this month.

I always look forward to May, with it’s Weird and Wonderful Wood weekend on the 14th and 15th May in the beautiful surroundings of Haughley Park. It’s a specialised art and craft event with a difference, dealing solely in wood and celebrating all aspects of woodwork and woodworkers with demonstrations, work shops, live music, entertainers and locally sourced food and drink.

We always see lots of our friends there and go with family members, we have been blessed the last two years with beautiful weather. If you haven’t been I would really recommend it, so much to explore and it’s a fantastic weekend for all the family.

We have something new for you starting this month, it’s called Reader Profile, and is a brief introduction to the colourful people of Norfolk and Suffolk that love YLM. If you consider yourself to be one of these please contact Barney, barney@ ylm.co.uk, or give him a call on 01379 669 299.

We are super excited to welcome Barney to our YLM family, he has the very tough job of helping me get organised and putting some structure into my creative crazy world!

Also, we are over the moon to welcome mother and daughter, Jo and Evie Rodwell,to the YLM family. Evie is a young gymnast who competed in Championships which took place in Milan, we ran two stories about Evie last year and

“The spaces between your fingers were created so another could fill them in.”

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May 2016

STORIES

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MAYDAY MAYDAY!

W ords b y G eir M adland

THE SECRET IS OUT!

Colin Whirligig

t’s 5 am on the first of May. I am up, dressed and out on Diss’s Fair Green in the company of likeminded men and women, some bearing unusually shaped objects and sporting exotic headdresses.

The mist envelops us as we eagerly await the dawn.

OK, the game’s up, my secret’s out. Time to ’fess up. It’s a bit awkward, potentially embarrassing. continued

| ? | The tallest May pole was erected on London’s Strand in 1661. It stood over 143 feet high.

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Photography courtesy of The Hoxne Hundred | Wendy Aiken

Here goes…

For the past few years I have been regularly dressing up in beribboned rustic garments, strapping on accessories and wielding specialist equipment in order to perform fertility rites to the accompaniment of wind instruments, often under the influence of hop-infused alcoholic beverages.

I have been engaging in consensual, traditional, recreational, rhythmic activities.

The one, two, three, hop, the flourishing of hankies, the brandishing of sticks, and the bells, the bells!

Oh, it feels good to openly and publicly acknowledge it after all this time. And I admit it: I’ve enjoyed it. Every minute of it. I am not ashamed. I am proud. I belong. I am part of

an ancient and noble English culture.

I am a Morris dancer.

Traditionally the first day of summer, May Day has been celebrated since Roman times, with the festival of Flora, goddess of fruit and flowers, and probably long before. In the Middle Ages, English folk would cut down young trees and stick them into the ground to mark the arrival of summer, dancing around them in celebration of the end of winter and the start of the fine weather that would allow planting to begin.

Over time, these May poles would be kept from one year to the next. The tallest was erected on London’s Strand in 1661. It stood over 143 feet high and was felled in 1717, when Isaac Newton used it to sup-

port Christiaan Huygen’s new reflecting telescope. By the Victorian age, schoolchildren would practice plaiting ribbons around the pole before the final show on the green: the original pole dance.

There’s not a budding boy, or girl, this day, But is got up, and gone to bring in May.

So wrote the poet Robert Herrick.

May Day celebrations began early. People would be out and about before sunrise, gathering flowers and greenery to decorate their houses in the belief that the green spirits would bring good luck. Girls would wash their faces in the dew to make them beautiful for

the following year. They would make garlands, covering two hoops, one at right angles inside the other, with leaves and flowers, and sometimes a doll inside to represent the goddess of Spring. In some parts of the country, the first day of May is called Garland Day. The rest of the day was given over to festivities: dancing on the village green, archery and exhibitions of strength. The highlight of the day was the crowning of the May Queen, the human Flora. Taking no part in the games or dancing, she sat: a queen in a flower-decked throne watching over her subjects. The next day, the May Queen would choose her King.

Rochester has an annual Sweep Festival to celebrate the traditional holiday that chimney

“The first recorded incident of Morris dancing at dawn on May Day is from 1923. It was in that year that the Oxford Morris Men decided to join the May Day YLM

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STORIES

MAYDAY MAYDAY!

sweeps used to enjoy on 1st May, a colourful mix of music, dancing and entertainment. But the oldest May Day celebration is the ‘Obby ‘Oss in Padstow, dating back to the fourteenth century and featuring the two famous Cornish Hobby Horses, the Old Oss and the Blue Ribbon Oss. Rise up, Mr. Rickard, and joy to you betide, For summer is a-come in today; And bright is your bride, that lays down by your side In the merry morning of May.

The blackface revellers have attracted modern accusations of racist parody, thanks to their apparent similarity to the infamous minstrel shows of the

twentieth century, but the truth is innocent enough: dancers, often farmhands and labourers on the weekday, would black their faces with coal so as not to be recognized by their employers, the squires, and accused of shirking.

Though quintessentially English, Morris dancing is so called because it is moor-ish, after the Moor, the black African, Shakespeare’s Othello. But Morris dancers are no more racist than jazz musicians. Inspired by the instruments and rhythms of North Africa, no one knows for how long they have danced the Morris in England yet in Victorian times they all but died out, like Welsh, or Christianity, or Real Ale. Their savior was a man called Cecil Sharp. (Pictured top right

in group-centre) Born in 1859 in Camberwell (and, having lived there too long myself, I can assure you it’s a great place to leave behind), Sharp went to Cambridge where he was inspired by William Morris (no relation). He then emigrated to Australia before returning to tour the length and breadth of England. He sought out those who still practised the ancient arts of the Morris, writing down their accounts of what had hereto been an oral tradition.

Sharp founded the English Folk Dance and Song Society, whose London headquarters is named Cecil Sharp House in his honour.

Sharp’s work encouraged the formation of the Morris Ring, now with one hundred and fifty Men’s Morris, Sword and Mummers Clubs and Teams. You

will note ‘Men’s’. Women are not invited. ‘What?’ I hear you cry. How can more than half the population be excluded from this most joyous of activities?

At least, that must have been the reaction of some for, since Sharp’s time, renegade sides have begun to spring up – outlaws, mavericks – eccentric, non-Ring sides, welcomwing… women, God bless them!

O

ne such unisex contingent is the Hoxon Hundred, into whose warm bosom I was welcomed as a two-left-footed unbeliever some summers since. Resplendent in white shirts, black breeches, white stockings, red and green striped baldrics and, naturally, bells, the Hoxon Hundred Cotswold side have graced

dawn festivities at Magdalen College. Certainly since then Morris sides all over the country have welcomed in the dawn with dancing and music.”

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STORIES

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appreciate the sense in learning the same dances as every other Morris side – so we can all dance together when we meet up. I can honestly say I’ve never had so much fun in broad daylight in East Anglia.

STicks at dawn The ever spry Chris Gibbons attests to its appeal: “We often many an East Anglian pub yard think of Morris prefer “Hoxon Hundred with their proud foot-, hankydancing as a very to do it and stick-work, aided and abet- in clogs.

English event have their own ted by able accordionists and and it can be an What can I hobby horse, the odd trombonist (what can I eye opener when say?

Colin Wurligig, say, they’re always odd). visiting Europe To assist whose lineage The first recorded incident and Scandinavia the danccan be traced of Morris dancing at dawn on how similar the ers, Hoxon back to London May Day is from 1923. It was dance traditions Hundred in the 1950s, as in that year that the Oxford are. The music have their can the career of Morris Men decided to join the often has the own hobby one Mike Barclay, May Day dawn festivities at same beat and horse, who danced on Magdalen College. Certainly the English MorColin the South Bank since then Morris sides all over ris dancer will Wurligig, for the Festival the country have welcomed soon feel quite at whose linof Britain, and is in the dawn with dancing and home in a troupe eage can still dancing to music. For many years, Hoxon of European be traced this day. He’s even have awoken the sleeping residancers.” back to lent me his spare dents of Fair Green with the After seeing in London in bells, an honour jangling of bells, clashing of the dawn on May the 1950s, indeed! ” sticks and sweet susurration Day morning, we as can the of folk music. They are often are warmly welcareer of joined by Kenninghall Morris, a one Mike Barclay, who comed at the Angel Café with Border side, and here we may a hearty cooked breakfast, and danced on the South perchance digress to describe we leave before the working Bank for the Festival of the peculiar traditions of the day has begun, ready for the Britain, and is still dancdance – schism, what schism? summer, with bells on! ing to this day. He’s even Morris dancing as we generlent me his spare bells, Hoxon Hundred always welally know it – sticks, hankies, come new members: musicians an honour indeed. Drawbells and occasional fancy hats and dancers; male, female and ing on the repertoires – is of the Cotswold tradition undecided, young and old. of villages and towns (from the Heart of England), Wednesday evenings at St Edfrom Lincolnshire to but to the west we find the mund’s Hall, Hoxne; summer Gloucestershire, Hoxon whooping, raggedy shenanievenings at a pub Hundred Cotswold side gans of the Border dancers, near you. ● regularly perform such whilst to the east lurk the time-honoured classics blackfaced, cross-dressing, noas Vandals of Hammerholds-barred Molly dancers. wich, Lads a Bunchum, Up north, the Rapper sword Balance the Straw and dancers demonstrate their Jenny Lind (the Swedish dexterity with locally forged Nightingale herself).

Further interest, steelwork, and the North West Eventually I learnt to hoxonhundred.co.uk

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GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Photography Wendy Aiken

Reader profile Q&A

“Back in the day, they would rear pheasants for the local shoots using chickens to keep the eggs warm, watching out for mink who were always on the prowl for a tasty feed.”

to school in Ingham and later at the Cannaries, Thetford, cycling the nine miles in all weathers.

Peter & Margaret

They were married in 1963 on a Saturday in Bury St Edmunds – and again, back to work on the Sunday. They moved to the Riddlesworth estate in November 1964 where they still grow their own vegetables all year round – an absolute necessity with no shops nearby - and share the land with their rabbit, cockatiel and hens. ●

01 —

Riddlesworth

>

Peter was born and raised in Riddlesworth, Norfolk, attending school and spending his working life within the local area. There was no holiday between the two. School finished on the Friday and work with his father on the farm started on the Monday, first with sheep, cows and later on, horses.

Margaret was born in Tinworth, Suffolk moving to Livermere where her father worked on the cow farms. She went

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Back in the day, they would rear pheasants using chickens to keep the eggs warm, watching out for mink who were always on the prowl for a tasty feed. The pheasants were for the local shoots, after which, they would be hung at the Riddlesworth Hall, now a Confucius International School.

The locals were always invited to Christmas parties at the Hall and also at the Knettishall Aerodrome run by the Americans. It was from here the 388th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses on missions over occupied Europe during World War II. Nearby, there were camps used by the Grenadier Guards, Gurkhas and Polish which became a more established community as time went by. At some point bad storm winds caused trees to fall and destroy a lot of the huts and houses. Peter and Margaret looked after the women and children, feeding and sheltering them until repairs could be made.

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YOUR LIFE STORY

PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied | Wendy Aiken WORDS Supplied

Peter Gilling

#yourlifestory

“What a way to make a living!”

was born on 2nd November 1948 to one of the coldest winters on record. To make matters worse, coal was hard to get. The 2nd World War had only been over a few years and all our coal was being flown – yes, flown – to west Germany’s half of Berlin to beat the Russian blockade.

My mother and father, Nell and Bill Gilling, were from the east of London and as my wife said at my Mum’s funeral, “met at the end of the war – fell in love – got married – had Peter…

continued

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May 2016

STORIES

just not necessarily in that order”. It wasn’t until I was twenty five and having breakfast in my mother’s kitchen that she, Mum (known for getting dates wrong), said, “Bill – don’t you think we should be having a party for our silver wedding anniversary?”

“You’ve got that wrong Mum – I’m already 25!”, I replied!

It was then I heard some kind of kerfuffle behind my back…I realised it was Dad mouthing silent words, with tongue between his teeth. Well, that’s when it dawned on me and exclaimed, “oh that’s lovely that is! You mean all those times you called me a little bastard you really meant it didn’t you!”

And then, for the first time in my life I saw my Dad embarrassed.

Both my mother and father had been married before and the divorce took what they said, felt like forever to finalise. This part I knew.

I had a brother, Brian, from my Dad’s previous marriage and a sister, Jackie, from my Mum’s, both about seven years older than me.

I started out life in a rented flat at 121 Electric Avenue, Westcliffe on Sea, Essex.

It was snug to say the least. Mum and Dad had moved out of the east end only to land in south end which to be fair, was a lot nicer, especially being closer to the seaside.

All was going nicely until Dad, who was a bit of a dealer, started getting a bit of sugar from the Tate & Lyle factory in Silvertown. Sugar

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“Eventually Dad was caught and received a two-year prison sentence, sharing time with a man called Bruce Reynolds who later went on to mastermind the great train robbery in 1963.

That and the fact dad was from Bethnal Green and went to the same school as the Kray twins were substantial reasons for mum wanting to get out of town.”

was still on ration so it was a highly sought-after commodity. I say a bit… he was supplying the sweet factories. Money was also in short supply and he once told me he sold a lorry load of sugar to a rock factory and was paid in sticks of Blackpool-stamped rock which in sold in Southend on Sea. He said he often wondered if the men went home to their wives after a boys’ outing and gave them all sticks of rock, receiving a slap for lying about the trip.

Eventually Dad was caught and received a two-year prison sentence, sharing time with a man called Bruce Reynolds who later went on to mastermind the great train robbery in 1963. That and the fact Dad was from Bethnal Green and went to the same school as the Kray twins,were substantial reasons for Mum wanting to get out of town.

It was Mum who pushed to get a weekend cottage, and in 1959 we bought the Haven Cottage in Roydon for £1000. We turned the key to find fresh flowers on the table and an apple

pie in the oven from the Jones’ who live next door.

We went back and forth for weekends away until we moved away

permanently when I was 14. I didn’t like school and Mum said, “don’t bother going back if you don’t like it boy. By the time they find you, you’ll be 15 and you can leave anyway.” So that’s what we did.

I raised £120 in my Lloyds bank account. Dad said if I gave it to him he’d make me a partner in his business. I fell for it and off we went to Bury market to buy a one ton Austin van to start work – mostly going round the country to auctions.

When I was 18 my girlfriend, Patricia Ann, fell pregnant and to this day no one knows how it happened…the nuns from my first school, St. Helens Convent, told me it happened to Jesus’ Mum so I knew it was possible! Her Dad was a blacksmith and strong as an ox so there wasn’t much choice when it came

YOUR LIFE STORY

to getting married! We moved to Palgrave with the baby, Toni, closely followed

by Simon and stayed there for 20 years.

After all that time of putting up with me and my habits (not all good as you can imagine…), Patricia asked to leave. Two years later I was married to my current wife who came across from Boston, Massachusetts.

She now lives in Florida and I live above the scrap yard. Which has been the status quo for the last 20 years. Some say that’s why it lasted so long.

As Sinatra said:

“Regrets, I’ve had a few; But then again, too few to mention.”

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#yourlifestory {PETE GILLING}

“I didn’t like school and mum said, “don’t bother going back if you don’t like it boy. By the time they find you, you’ll be 15 and you can leave anyway.”So that’s what we did.”

Do you have a story to tell? 01379 669 299 | info@ylm.co.uk | t @ylmuk using #yourlifestory

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justgiving.com/team/park-hotel-mudbugz

Pretty Muddy THE PARK HOTEL,DISS PREPARE TO GET SPLATTERED! You also have some friends who

Left to right, top: Kate Loane, Emily Green, Tracey Davies, Stacey Tebble & Katie Pursehouse Bottom: Chloe Barrett, Toni Glover & Sharon Long

are taking part?

Yes, joining us will be Sharon Long, Sarah McGahan and Toni Glover Why did you choose this charity? is it close to your

“I will arrive manicured and groomed because that’s me all over! The fear of a muddy run, scares me more than running the race itself. I only started running 4 weeks ago!” — Sharon

hearts

We chose to do the cancer research event as everybody has had someone close to them either battle and survive cancer or sadly had it beat them, we would like to help raise money for them to find a cure! We are running the event to show cancer who is boss and remember all those people that have been beaten and help the ones who have survived.

Tell us about the outfits you have chosen to wear?

We have chosen to all wear pink race for life tops along with pink tutus and leggings.

We want to make the event fun so chose to dress up a bit.

So ladies, what’s this event called?

The event we are taking part in is Cancer Research, Race For Life ‘Pretty Muddy’ which is a 5k muddy obstacle course!

Finally, how can people donate to support you all?

People can donate at the hotel via sponsorship forms, along with our competition of guess the amount of sweets in a jar (prize of correct amount is the jar of sweets), or online at our Justgiving page.

You can also text MCST90 and the amount you want to give to 70070

Are any of you doing it not fans Can you tell us who is taking part?

of getting rather muddy?

Our group name is Park Hotel Mudbugz and the the group consists of Stacey Tebble (Wedding & Events Coordinator), Tracey Davies (Owner), Emily Green (front of house), Chloe Clay (front of house), Kate Loane (Chef), Chloe Barrett (front of house) and Katie Pursehouse (front of house)

Sharon Long who is a close friend of Stacey Tebble has OCD and will hate getting muddy but she is determined to do the course to help raise as much money as we can!

where & when

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t's my birthday month and in my opinion, a lovely time of the year to have a birthday. I feel sorry for those of you who have to juggle a birthday with Christmas within a few days.. blame your parents! Technically I now fall into the bracket of ‘middle age’ although we are constantly told 60 is the new 40 and 50 is the new 30, I wonder who is fooling who? I know we are all living a lot longer and reaching 100 doesn’t seem such a big deal anymore. It's a hard one to gauge isn't it. How does one know how one should feel at any particular age? In my heart I don't feel much different to how I felt 30 years ago. Energywise I suppose I have slightly less. I am grateful that although I have various skeletal aches

and pains,generally speaking, my "insides" are fairly well behaved, whatever that means.

The other week a group of us went to a 1980s disco. A trip down memory lane indeed.

Husband resplendent as Adam Ant (with a Johnny Depp look about him). I was a little more conservative: a Wham "Love Life" t-shirt, fluorescent pink tutu and pink gloves(I did wear trousers too), not to forget the blue eyeshadow. Rather worringly I didn't really have to do much to my hair and already had the blue eyeshadow and large gold hoop earrings. Well don't they say that if you keep something for long enough, it will come back into fashion one day. The best thing about the whole evening, apart from the music of course, was the fact that I could wear trainers!

I don't know about you ladies, but having fashionable, ladylike shoes becomes more and more of a challenge. I've never been a one for heels but my challenge is now to avoid granny-like shoes. Before you raise an eyebrow, to date, I am a step grandmother, not a full-blown grandmother.I try to kid the world that I am far too young to be a 'real' grandmother. I have even opted for the non granny name of Loulou, so far, clever eh?

Anyway back to the footwear. The reason for my delight in wearing trainers for the 80s night was that I just love to dance.(Some may say I love making a fool of myself). If I know a tune, as long as I don't detest it, I am up there on the dance floor, oblivious to the fact that I may be the only one!

The great thing about the 80s disco was pretending to dance as I would have done in the 80s. (Those who know me may smile as I normally dance like that anyway!) My daughter is sadly still totally embarrassed by my jiving technique on the dance floor. Thankfully, for both of us, she doesn’t do the disco scene with me very often.

So I am thinking as I dance

“Why is it if I ever do a twist, I can get down there but struggle to get back up?”

away merrily, this is a great workout, very sociable and great fun.

Why is it then, if I ever do a twist, I can get down there but struggle to get back up?

Another question is why do I feel like I have done a strenuous gym session the day after a gentle bop? Reality check Louise "You are getting on a bit" Thanks for that.

I accept I can't turn the clock back and become a wild teenager again (not that I ever was). I am not sure I would want to.

The one thing about getting on a bit is you become more accepting of yourself. You know what and who is important in your life.

The one thing I must try to remember is to ‘dance my age’. If I really can't resist the urge to boogie the night away at least take a couple of painkillers first (Now who is sounding middleaged?) ●

Words by Louise Priest Broadcast Journalist BBC Look East

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JOHN TAYLOR BUILDERS LTD

General Builders & Joiners PlumBers & decorators

Specialist Work to Listed Buildings & Properties of Character

01379 643138

5 shelfanger road / diss

HOME & GARDEN

Inspired by the formality of Arts and Crafts gardens, A Suffolk Retreat offers a secluded space with a small summerhouse where children and young people can engage with music. The elements of the garden are made from local materials and by local masters in the age-old crafts of flint work, and pargetting. It is a soft, traditional space that feels uplifting and serene.

“Founded in 1969, Pro Corda is a Suffolkbased musical and educational charity that provides ensemble training across the UK for talented young musicians.”

Pro Corda Trust – A Suffolk Retreat Design: Frederic Whyte

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2 4 T H - 2 8 th M ay

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R oyal H ospita L , C helsea

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where & when

The Morgan Stanley Garden for Great Ormond Street Hospital Design: Chris Beardshaw

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Designed to feature at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, before it is sited at its permanent home at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The new garden will provide a much needed, private and reflective space for parents and families of the children undergoing care at the hospital. Designer Chris Beardshaw is creating a rich, green and verdant woodland scheme, sprinkled with pockets of colourful planting, bursting through the tree canopy and perennial understory.

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{ RHS CHELSEA: WHICH GARDENS we’re looking out foR }

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YLM WHITE POPLAR

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ALDER

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WILLOW

Wetland trees

01379 669 299 | ben@circuitmedia.co.uk | l Circuit Media UK

SALES PEOPLE REQUIRED

THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

{ SAVE THE TREES. STOP THE FLOODS }

-

lobal warming means more flooding. It has been in the news so much lately especially with such a wet winter.

To those of us lucky enough to live in this area, marshy wet land is nothing new.

A single tree depending on species and age will remove more than 1000 litres/220 gallons of water a day during its growing season.

Therefore they are often planted in wetland areas to help dry out the soil and improve drainage.

If trees are re-

Words by Joan Garnham Waveney Tree Specialists

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WHITE POPLAR

moved from wetland areas the water table will rise and produce anaerobic conditions thus preventing other plants from being established. In extreme cases water run-off and soil erosion may occur. Water logged soil is likely to be low in nitrogen which means low fertility. Planting in wetland areas substantially reduces risk of flash flooding and trees such as alders will improve the fertility.

Not all trees are able to survive water logged conditions.

Wetland trees survive flooding by absorbing air through lenticels (pores) in their bark and trunk. This is then pumped down to the roots immersed in water and is stored in large air pockets called aerenchyma. Some trees like willow and alder can survive being submerged in water for up to six months.

The roots of wetland trees tend to be larger. This helps to stabilise the bank and reduce soil erosion.

Since these trees often grow along the edge of rivers

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ALDER

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WILLOW

they will grow out over the river to get more light, the extra long anchor roots help stabilise the tree.

Two of the common wetland trees use water to increase their population. The twigs of Crack willow (Salix fragilis) are fragile and break off, they float downstream and eventually take root when they reach land. Common alder (Alnus glutinosa) produces cone-like seed capsules with in built air pockets to aid buoyancy. They release their seeds as they float down river.

If you have wet areas you wish to dry off please check on the trees you plant, some do not survive in waterlogged conditions.

Wetland trees include the willows, alder and white poplar.

The RHS website will give you the best advice for the best conditions for your trees.

Please, also remember to check marshy areas for protected species eg crested newts, orchids etc. â—?

For expert advice on this, or any other issue, 01379 668638 or treesurgeons-norfolk.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN

“Straighten Up & Scythe Right.”

Wotcha!

‘Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row.’

Oive put that thar nursery rhyme in fer the benefit of those who say I allus start the same way. That’ll larn ‘em that will, you mark my words, well it be Mark thas a writin ‘em so yer got to!

I wonder if the pretty maids were milkmaids? The flower I mean. I remember droivin’ the Diss-Gislingham-Diss Postbus and a lady from Thorndon who used t’ roide on it regular were very knowledgeable about country matters and she said one day, when we were crossing Mellis common, “look at all those milkmaids, they do look pretty.” O’ course I stared around – tryin’ not to go into

the ditch as them roads in Mellis aren’t that wide– thinkin’ she meant the human kind but then she explained that it was a flower which, along with buttercups was all over the common. It’s also known as cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis). It also pratensis to be lady’s smock!

Anyway, how do yer garden grow?

Oim suffen pleased to hev a bit more warmer weather aint you? Oim no fool, so on April fust I put in turnips, salad onions (white lisbon), leeks, cabbages, caulis and kohirabi. That last one be a rum ol’ vegetable don’ it? I dunno about astro carrot, but kohirabi looks loike a Sputnik if ever I saw one (I hint sin one yet, no). I hint hed much success wiv it lately, and neither hev Dobies it seems cos, unusually fer them, thev bin about as sparse with the seed as I am when it come to sharin’ broad beans or Christmas puddings.

Even sowing the seed in stations dint get me across the allotment fer one row. Thas allus

Alexandre Dulaunoy

Market Garden, Hilldrop, Blo Norton

disappointin’ that is (me allotment is 8m wide) but I hed more success wiv me carrots this year.

Now that oive got me whole page that yew and loads of others ha’ bin clamouring for (I hev mentioned that before I think), oive bin reminded that a lot o’ people might not git where the title come from. Well, I may talk a load o’ old squit (only Wendy says that o’ course, I know yew wouldn’t) but this is how it come about.

I started work on me dad and mum’s market garden at Hilldrop, Blo Norton after leavin’ Diss Secondary Modern at 15yrs. No further education fer me – course, I knew a lot already! I wus usin’ a scythe (remember them? You see a lot of ‘em in Gaze’s ‘Rural Bygones’ sales now!).

Anyways, I wus cutting grass near the road when two farmworkers, Cecil Bareham and Eric Bennett rid by on their bikes.

They were on their way to Jack Lanham’s farm

at the top o’ the hill near the church. They saw me o’ course and shouted out “Keep yer heel down bor!’ I were probably only 15/16yrs at the time an’ I thought t’ meself, ‘Wass that all about?’

But it soon dawned on me thet if yer keep stickin’ the point of the scythe into the ground then the blade soon ‘bows’ and becomes useless, so you have to keep the heel down!

“Bor” of course is boy.

Dew yew keep on troshin and remember, sowing seeds in stations will git you across the allotment much quicker especially if yer do it on a weekday. Why is that?

Well o’ course if yer sowing at weekends yer might find yer have t’ change at Manningtree!

You gotta laff. Goo on then laff! ●

Words by Mark Aiken

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HOME & GARDEN

YLM

The marvellous month of May ✿ Busy Bees & Beautiful Brides

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“There is nothing quite like the sound of a lawnmower and the smell of a freshly cut lawn to know that summer is on its way.!”

W H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N G a b riel ’ s G arden ?

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HOME & GARDEN

t he marvellous month of May is my absolute favourite time of year. There is a vibrancy and lushness to the colours and textures in the garden and surrounding countryside that lifts the spirit and brings joy to the heart. The sun starts to shine with earnest, warming the earth and us, lifting the ground temperatures, giving the go ahead to all the plants that grow in the garden; to thrive, flourish and bloom.

The air is full of the heady scent of wallflowers, Stocks and Freesias, the sound of birdsong and the buzz of the bees. Beautiful blossoms soften the trees and hedgerows and then there’s that quintessentially English sound of lawnmowers growling in the background; there is nothing quite like the sound of a lawnmower and the smell of a freshly cut lawn to know that summer is on its way.

It’s good to keep on top of the weeding at this time, before they flower and seed is set; it helps to break the growth cycle and prevent the second flush of weeds that appear after midsummer. A lot of weeds draw important minerals up from deep in the soil

Words by Gabi Reid Gabriel’s Garden

“A great way of producing lots more plants for your garden is to take softwood cuttings. Plants like Penstemens, Dianthus and Hydrangeas are perfect for this as they put on good growth at this time of year.” and are good to add into the compost heap where they will breakdown and release the nutrients they hold, but only if they haven’t flowered and set seed. Avoid putting evasive weeds like couch grass, nettles roots and bindweed into the compost, if in doubt chop off the roots and only compost the leaves.

We’re gearing up for a summer full of weddings, garden parties, markets and shows using flowers and foliage grown in the garden. It’s always a juggle keeping up with the seed sowing, potting up and planting out, but as we near the end of the month the flower beds are pretty much full, I’ve been cutting the first of the autumn sown Cornflowers and Ammi Majus and the Sweet Williams are now in full flow.

For a recent late spring wedding I created delicate button holes and corsages using the scented Muscari ‘Valerie Fines’ and pretty pear blossom, I like to use purple sage and flowering rosemary to complement the flowers, both of which are surprisingly robust. In the studio I’ve been trialling a new gift idea which I’ve called ‘posies to go’; no need to worry about water, plastic cellophane or wrapping as the flowers are liter-

ally ready to give. Flowers of the moment are gathered from the garden, conditioned and then put together in a pretty posy, placed in a recycled jam jar and held in a lovely reusable hessian bag.

For all those budding May queens and princesses out there what could be lovelier than a floral crown made of Bluebells for a wild and natural look?

A great way of producing lots more plants for your garden is to take softwood cuttings. Plants like Penstemens, Dianthus and Hydrangeas are perfect for this as they put on good growth at this time of year. Take your softwood cuttings by selecting strong shoots about 10cm long, cut the stem from the parent plant just under a set of leaves then carefully remove all the other leaves bar the ones at the top (put your cuttings into a plastic bag if you are not planting them straight away or they will dry out) fill a pot with compost mixed with a little sharp sand and push the end of the cutting into the compost at least 4cm down, you can use a dibber to make the hole, put 4 or 5 cuttings in one pot making sure that the leaves are not touching, water well and put a plastic bag or cover over the pot to keep your cuttings warm and moist. They should produce roots within the month, pot them on into individual pots and they’ll be ready to plant out by mid to late July. You should have flowers by the end of August or why not encourage a bit of a plant swap /sharing with friends and neighbours as a fundraiser or a way of increasing the different varieties of plants in the garden. ●

D ates f or the diary —

Bungay Garden Market Sun 15th May With an amazing array of professional plants people and other garden related products it’s well worth a visit; I’ll be there with plenty of plants that produce beautiful flowers for cutting this summer.

British Flower week Sun 12th - Sat 18th June On Wednesday 15th I’m going to be running a workshop in collaboration with the lovely and talented Brigitte Girlling from Moss and Stone using a fabulous selection of British grown flowers.

I will be having a special pop up shop in the garden for British flower week where I’ll be selling my ‘Posies to go’ and beautiful bunches and bouquets from Thursday 16th - Saturday 18th June. Please order flowers by text, phone call or email and collect and pay from the garden or Wyken Vineyard Farmers Market on Saturday 18th.

We will be using the very best of the flowers grown and cut from the garden here in Gissing to illustrate and celebrate our fabulous British flower industry. Look out for more about British Flower Week in the June copy of YLM. Hand tie Flower Workshop at The Designer Makers Wednesday 22nd June 10am – 12.30pm. Learn how to tie a beautiful bunch of glorious midsummer flowers, create the spiralling effect and a free standing bouquet with me at this informal and fun workshop. 10.00am -12.30pm. £45.00. Please book through the Diss Corn Hall Booking office 01379 652241.

— For more details about workshops, to book a place or to order flowers, 01379 677793 hello@gabrielsgarden.co.uk gabrielsgarden.co.uk

W H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N G a b riel ’ s G arden ?

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Carpets Hardfloors Upholstery Telephone 0800 234 3412 • 01379 678806 • 07984 648296 Email crystalcleannorfolk@hotmail.co.uk visit our website carpetcleanernorfolk.co.uk

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[ BEAUTIFUL IMAGES THAT INSPIRE ]

PHOTOGRAPHY Wendy Aiken

CAPTURE

Fairy Branch Song

Here’s a branch of snowy May! A branch the Fairies gave me!

Who would like to dance today With the branch the fairies gave me?

Dance away dance away Holding high the branch of May! Dance away dance away Holding high the branch of May!

What are we really eating?

Do you have a story to tell? t @ylmuk using #yourlifestory

HEALTH

ood labels are designed to be attention-grabbing and sell the product they contain, but how far do the sales tactics go?

I sat down with friends to a pasta bake which tasted great. At the end of the meal, I was asked what I thought of the pasta, because it was from a popular weight loss brand.

The big question I asked her “what makes it the weight loss brand?”, to which she replied “I don’t know, it just said it on the packet. I guess it’s lower in fat or sugar”.

This got me thinking more about how the way we are marketed to make us believe things which aren’t necessarily true. Having looked at the branded 50/50 penne and compared it to supermarket (wholewheat) penne, the results weren’t what you may expect.

Let’s call the brand Weight Minders or WM for short, and the supermarket T for short. The values below are for 75g dry weight portion.

Words by Kyle Brooks 07935 726358 brookspt.co.uk

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The assumptions made by my friend was that the WM pasta would be lower in sugar and fat – WM 2.9g, T 1.6g and WM 1.2g, T 1.9g respectively.

Both have 0.2 g saturated fat.

So, scratching the surface, the WM brand is 1.3g higher in sugar but 0.7g lower in fat.

Let’s look at some of the other parts of the nutritional information. The WM pasta is lower in protein and fibre, two important parts of our diet and also components that are digested very slowly meaning we’re kept feeling full for longer but it also contains an extra 10 calories per portion.

I’m not one for calorie counting down to this level because there’s far more to it than that, but given that the WM version will digest more rapidly how can this aid weight loss? The product is meant to be a ‘healthy’ alternative, but is lower in some key nutrients and higher in some of those that are known to avoid.

Companies spend thousands of pounds each year

trying to encourage us to buy their products. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, that’s the idea of most businesses, to make a profit.

If you’re looking for another example, the wellknown breakfast biscuit is guilty of some omissions also. You hopefully know the ones I’m talking about.

One such biscuit claims it has a high percentage of slow digesting starchy carbohydrates. And yes it does have 4.8g of starch per 12.5g biscuit, but it also has 3.5g sugar. Basically they chose to talk about the 38% starch, but ignore the 28% sugar. When looking at the packet I notice that the numbers are based on a single 12.5g biscuit, despite the fact that they are packaged in fours.

It isn’t an exhaustive list of problems with this product, but the final thing that I’ll mention is the seemingly random quote that they provide, “energy for the whole morning”, with no explanation of how this was measured or if this is even a fact or just a marketing message. Food labels and marketing are extremely clever and often deceptive. Pay close attention to what is actually in the food.

Calories aren’t the only things that matter, not by a long shot. There are many ways to analyse foods and your diet, but I don’t think a person’s eating habits can be so clearly defined into healthy or unhealthy by giving an arbitrary value to each food based on how many grams of this and that it contains, and we shouldn’t be easily swayed by marketing.

Points systems or systems which assign a score to foods can be helpful because they give a suggestion of the quan-

tity of calorific or less healthy foods a person can have. However, you could have one food group the entire day and according to that system, lose weight.

This just wouldn’t happen as your body would be missing out on vital nutrients.

This isn’t an article trying to slam any particular group, product or method of weight loss. My goal is for people to live healthy and happy lives. I want people to be educated and to think critically for themselves, especially as so much of our lives is spent with blinkers on, and I don’t want that to be the way we look at the food we eat.

The big message I want you to take away from reading this article is to think for yourself.

When buying a food or drink item, take a few seconds and look at the packaging. Not the shiny pictures or amazing quotes which suggest this is what you should be eating, but at the ingredients list and nutritional information. If you do this and don’t know what to look for, ask for some help from someone who understands or do some research. If you took one hour of time you’d usually spend on social media and look up nutrition articles, you’ll be surprised what you learn and the positive impact it can have on your health.

Until next time, keep healthy and be inquisitive. l

What’s On

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TEMPTED? Advertise here for £135 +VAT 01379 669299 | info@ylm.co.uk

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Sat 16th July | 8pm - till late

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HEALTH

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MAY BLOG

TOP SKI NCARE & MAKEUP Know d l T I PS u o h eS Everyon Tip1 By law every product has this symbol on its packaging or box. It shows once the product is opened this is how long this product is at its best.

Tip2 Makeup brushes are a wonderful makeup tool and there is so many to choose from and have. From blusher and foundation brushes to blending brushes and lip brushes. All of them can get a makeup buildup and then start to harbour bacteria which when used daily can cause impurities on the skin and spots.

reader offer!

We all use some skincare products to look after our skin we all use makeup products to make us look great but do we know the guidelines of keeping our products at their very best.

We recommend Makeup Brush Cleaners. These cleaners will remove makeup and bacteria, which has built up in the brush leaving them clean

and ready to use. There are numerous ways you can clean your brushes. The first type of product is quick and easy they are designed to be used without water. Just spray onto the brushes and wipe off with a tissue until no makeup is left. The second type of product is one that can be used with water.

Dilute the solution with water then wash out the bristles. The other quick and easy way is to use baby shampoo or gentle hand cleanser, massage into damp bristles to release the makeup then gently rinse and women keep three leaveMany to dry naturally. different sizes of jeans in their wardrobes, expecting their weight to fluctuate between them. Some admitting to using the jeans as a form of ‘bathroom scales”.

Tip3 Mascara is a wonderful product for us all to enhance our eyes. However this product is advised to be used within six months of opening as it can harbour bacteria in its airtight container. Another tip for your mascara is never to pump the brush in and out: this fills the container with air and will make your mascara thick and sticky which will clog on your lashes. Another tip if you have any eye infections: always throw out your mascara as it can cross-contaminate and

cause more discomfort again and again.

If in doubt throw it out!

Next time you have a few minutes have a look at your makeup bag and the products you have had for a long time. Are they still doing what you want them to? are they just sitting in there but never used? or you’ve got stuck in a rut and have forgotten how to use them.

If so make an appointment with us for a makeup bag makeoveryou will be surprised at how much you learn.

TOP TIPS! Always clean your hands before using skincare and makeup if not it just gets transferred onto the skin.

Use a spatula or cotton bud to take creams out of a pot rather than your finger again this prevents impurities.

Keep skincare and makeup products in a cool dry place. If any skincare product changes colour some of the ingredients may have gone off; or if they have a smell to them as well. l

Makeup Bag Makeover Save £5 on appointments in May when you mention this article!

T&Cs apply

For further information on the right makeup products for you, Dionne & Rachel offer a makeup bag makeover lesson. We find out how much time you have to do your makeup, and sort through the products you have making them work hard for you for

Words by Dionne & Rachel Defining Radiance

everyday living.

01379678117 | 07511 383953 definingradiancemakeup.co.uk definingradiance@btinternet.com

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1

springtrends STEP OUT IN STYLE 4

5

darling top

£49

3

THIS SIDE TOP - BOTTOM /// Pomodoro Cardigan £55 /// Peony Scarf £18 /// Pomodoro Crops £55 /// Capri Tunic £60 & Leggings £38

YLM

Darling skirt £59

THIS SIDE TOP - BOTTOM /// Hatley dress £79 /// Kris-Ana bag £45 /// Pomodoro Jumper £60 /// Pomodoro Shirt dress £55

FASHION

Hatley Jacket £90 & trousers £65

6

1 Orange _

3 Spring Florals _

What could make us feel happier than a drop of sunny

We are loving this pretty feminine trend

orange this spring?

2 Denim_ Love your jeans? Well, you’ll love the gorgeous light weight denim trend this season.

4 Polka Dot _ There is something quite retro about this trend but it never fails to make an appearance

5 Modern Maritime _ Sail away with this timeless look

6 Fine Lines _ Mix it up…diagonal, vertical, horizontal….you choose!

Compiled By Amanda Church — Dream On | Discover more at dream-on.co.uk

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May 2016

Your Lifestyle Magazine for Norfolk & Suffolk

early bird entries

calling

all creative

w r iters Do you like writing short stories?

Want to see your work published?

To launch our new short story page this summer we will be running a competition to be published and win prizes* We’ll also arrange for local authors and celebrities to review your work and select the top pieces Topics can be as broad as the sea is wide. Politics, sci-fi, thriller – you choose…

S u b mit a small sample o f your wor k ( 2 5 0 words ma x ) v ia email to b arney @ ylm . co . u k

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*T&C’s Prizes and entry details to be confirmed at a later date. All entries will be considered and a selected few chosen for print. The vendor reserves the right to suspend, cancel or modify the terms of the competition at any time without notice. Closing date for entries Wednesday 31st August 2016

loving life in Norfolk & Suffolk

WOMeN in BUSINESS

Louise Thompson Play. Make. Create.

A creative mum of two boys with 16 years experience in ‘Early Years’ and Education.

Play. Make. Create. sessions provide fun art & craft activities for kids during the holidays and for your birthday party or event. If you can’t get to a Play. Make. Create. workshop why not order a ‘Craft Bag’ to do at home?

The Next session, ‘All about the Love’, is in February half term, spaces are limited so booking is essential. Come and play!

Charlotte Nicolls The Camargue Cafe A warm welcome awaits you at The Camargue Cafe where Charlotte and Sherry will serve you delicious homemade meals, snacks and refreshments. Situated within the award winning Valley Farm Equestrian Leisure facility, The Camargue Cafe also offers workshops for adults and children throughout the year, give them a call for more details.

Katie Nice Portrait Artist

— The Blossom Charity supports women in business through coaching and workshops in, for example, marketing yourself and your business, business budgeting and how to lead teams.

They have supported the businesses on this page and would love you to do so too.

For more information, 01379 678483 www.dream-on.co.uk

Katie creates realistic, handdrawn portraits using watercolour and pencils. She has recently left college and has just turned a hobby into a business. Katie draws people as well as pets, working from photographs in a choice of colour, or black and white. See more of her artwork on her new Facebook page -Katie Nice Portraits.

Louise Cobbold | Illustrator After ten really enjoyable years as a secondary school art teacher (off the back of a degree in illustration), I am really excited to now be following my dream as a freelance artist.

I am a wife and mum of two with a real passion for producing high quality portraits of different scales/ styles for my clients. My approach is relaxed and very realistic from the outset in terms of what can be achieved within different budgets.

VENTURE

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“Pollyanna’s philosophy in life centres around an positive attitude she learned from her late father. ”

¬ Playing the Glad game ¬

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Being Unapologetically Positive YLM

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Official

L Ap top R e pA i R CentRe

Harleston

01379 851 117 Attleborough

01953 454 370 info@ulric.net

VENTURE

YLM

i am writing this travelling back by car from a meeting in Kent. Don’t worry, I’m not driving too. It’s a Friday afternoon and I’m on that wonderful car park called the M25. I’m not too upset that I’m stuck in a jam because I need to write this article. Wendy has sent us strict deadlines and I’m endeavouring to stick to them. Also I’ve just spoken to Amanda, she has already sent her article in and I hate being the last!

As I write this, I reflect on the fact that I’m often accused of seeing the positive in things.

Looking across at other passengers in cars, some don’t look too jolly. The fact is, however, there is nothing I can do about it. It is not unsurprising that I’m in a traffic jam. After all, I’m approaching the Dartford Tunnel, it is Friday afternoon and it is raining.

One of those reasons may have caused a delay but the combination of all three has made this delay quite inevitable.

“When I was at school I would be told off for smiling. The teachers thought I was laughing at them. I can honestly say that I wasn’t!”

I guess what I’m thinking about is a positive attitude. Which is described in the dictionary as being optimistic.

As a young girl, I remember reading a book and seeing a film called Pollyanna. In it a young orphan girl goes to live with a wealthy but stern and cold spinster aunt.

Her aunt does not want her to stay but feels an obligation to her late sister. Pollyanna’s philosophy in life centres around what she calls “The glad game”, an optimistic and positive attitude she learned from her late father. The game entails finding something positive in every situation no matter how bleak it is. The story follows the impact she has on the small town in New England where her way of seeing the world has a transforming impact on the people living there.

It’s one of those wonderful heart-warming stories which obviously had an impact on me as I still remember it!

As I write this we are moving very very slowly through the Dartford Tunnel. My fellow passenger remarks that he doesn’t like it when we move slowly through the tunnel.

To which my response is that I’m glad we are still moving (I haven’t told him yet I’m playing the glad game!).

So is it useful to see the positive in situations?

Is it just a soft and fluffy thing that is great in children’s novels but that is where it should stay?

When I was very little, I’ve been told I was bit of a grizzler. I have seen some pictures of me and I don’t look very happy or smiley. I claim, I was unwell as a little girl but I think I also liked to get my own way. Fortunately, my parents must have not given in to the grizzler as by the age of eight a grinning, happy child emerged (or maybe and I can’t remember, it was the age I was introduced to the Pollyanna story).

When I was at school I would be told off for smiling. The teachers thought I was laughing at them.

I can honestly say that I wasn’t.

I read an article by a behavioural psychologist Barbara Fredrickson.

She has published what are seen by some (obviously not to Pollyanna) as somewhat surprising research. She did many experiments but the one I like is that she did with five groups of people.

Each group she showed a different film which created different emotions.

From joy to contentment, from fear to anger and then finally a neutral control group. From that she asked each of them to sit and answer a question about a similar situation saying “I would like to ….”

What was interesting was those who saw fear and

anger wrote significantly less on their list than those who saw joy and contentment. The experiments continued and much more was found out about the benefits of positivity.

Pollyanna was written by Eleanor Porter and was published in 1913 .

She didn’t have the benefit of this research but she was certainly onto something .

When I start any of our programmes at Dream On I say that we are going to be unapologetically positive. We believe that life can be tough but approaching it from the positive helps a lot. We also take this approach in coaching where we will build on what you are at your best .

Now, back to the journey. I’ve let my co-passenger in on the glad game. It’s a good job as not only is the traffic bad on the M25 but it’s not good on the A12 either. However , I’m glad as I have finished my article and can submit it nearly on time! ●

Words by Bridget McIntyre The Blossom Charity

To find out more about our workshops and programmes visit our website, dream-on.co.uk or phone us on 01379 678483

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YLM

#relationships

a ll of us are in business to make a profit. But if that’s the primary driving force in business, we become mercenaries to that process. We believe that we should serve a greater need than simply to make a profit. We believe that business can be honourable. It can make a difference in individual lives as well as communities.

Small business is the engine that drives many of the economies around the world. Small business doesn’t have the resources of large corporations. However, if they network together – the sum of the whole becomes greater than the individual parts.

Well designed collaboration based on an effective system and strategy can lead to small business success.

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Core values establish culture. It’s never too late or too early to think about your core values in business and in life. Here are my core values: 1 The Philosophy of Givers Gain®(What goes around comes around).

2 Building Meaningful Relationships 3 Lifelong Learning 4 Traditions plus Innovation

5 Positive Attitude 6 Accountability We believe that it is possible to make a good living while serving a greater good.

The core values we have tried to apply in our lives and in our business have helped to create a culture of collaboration within the context of building a business. This approach is not only a great way to get business, we believe it is an even better way to do business.

If what you have read here motivates you and you would like to meet local business people who actively promote one another and have business opportunities for you please call us for an introduction on 01986 892214

Can you handle more business?

Less than a minute of your time could make a difference.

Phil & Katrina Burton Referral Institute Norfolk

VENTURE

#vulnerable

In the headlines

As you have a child together, you may be entitled to make a claim under Schedule 1 of the Children Act. The purpose of this type of claim would be in order to house the child (and you) and therefore, the ultimate result would be to provide housing as a temporary measure until the child reaches adulthood. However, please note that this type of application would only be relevant in some circumstances and certainly not all.

Unfortunately you find yourself in a very vulnerable position and you may have to rely on your partner’s good nature and hope that you can reach an agreement between you.

In order to prevent this situation arising, couples can and should consider having a cohabitation agreement drawn up to confirm their intentions at the outset.

While on this subject, it is worthy of note that if a couple live together and are not mar-

A recent case, which hit the headlines, highlights the importance of cohabitees putting their affairs in order: 69-year-old Joy Williams won the right to receive her deceased partner Norman’s share of their home.

This was despite the fact that Norman was actually married to someone else (Maureen) and had not updated his will.

Had Joy not been successful in her legal challenge – which of course cost time, money and worry – Norman’s former wife would have been able to sell and profit from his share of the home.

We currently have editorial opportunities in the Venture section. Enquiries to 01379 669299 | ben@ylm.co.uk

ried and if one party dies and does not have a Will in place at the time of their death, the surviving partner would have no automatic right to a share in the other’s estate.

Many people in cohabiting relationships are also unaware of this.

NOT SO SWEET HOME

A. No, unfortunately you would not be entitled to automatically receive a share of your partner’s property.

This is due to the fact that there is no such thing as a common law husband or wife. As you and your partner have not married and the property is owned in his sole name, you are not entitled to make a financial claim against your partner’s property. If you had married, then you would be entitled to make a financial claim under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

Whilst there have been proposals for cohabitation law in England and Wales, at the moment there is no protection for cohabitants as such and no law on which you can rely.

You may be entitled to make a claim under trust law if you have made significant contributions towards the property. For example, this would apply if

you have paid for an extension or conservatory, or contributed large expense towards any other home improvement.

Whilst the claim may be able to be made under trust law, this can be complicated.

The Myth of Common Law Marriage

Q.

I have lived with my partner for the past four years in his bungalow, which he has owned for the last 10 years. We have a two-year-old child together. Recently we have not been getting on and my partner has asked me to move out. Am I right in assuming that as we have lived together for more than six months, I am his common law wife and am entitled to receive 50% of the property?

For further advice on this, or any other legal issue, please contact the family team at Steeles Law on 01379 652141 or family@steeleslaw.co.uk

Words by Emma Alfieri Associate Steeles Law

May 2016

49

FROM the CReatORs OF YLM

things a bit quiet?

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27/04/2016 15:49

STORIES

YLM

Jo and Evie Rodwell are a mother and daughter team who are focused on personal development through gymnastic excellence.

With major UK and European competitions already under her belt, Evie is committed to living like anything is possible.

Are you working towards any very special gymnastics

Hi Jo and Evie, welcome to the YLM family. We are really excited to have you.

events?

Yes, The National Special Olympic Games Next Year in Sheffield.

So Evie, how are you?

“Good” (Thumbs up) but a bit poorly Have you been enjoying the Easter Holidays?

Awesome, we went to High Altitude trampoline centre in Norwich, great for kids Since we last caught up with you we have heard that you won an

Now an update for Mum-Jo...

First some bad news...

Eve’s not going to Florence, Italy for the World DS games this year. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough interest to make a team. Being less than a year after the World Gym Championships meant it was not affordable for many.

award from The Mason Trust.

Well done that is awesome, can you tell me what it was like collecting the award, meeting all the trustees?

I was nervous! There were lots of people, tea and cake!

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS #01 #goeviego

COVER STORY

Q&A

How did you feel winning The Mason Trust award and what will winning the award do to help you and your gymnastics?

Very happy. I got a certificate took into School very impressed and some money to go into my gymnastic fund to pay for new kit and training fees and travelling costs, entrance competition costs. Very kind of them. £750 National Special Olympic Games plus another £500 for Tina the coach and travelling costs on top

However, the good news is that she has secured her place at the National Special Olympic Games to be held in Sheffield next year! Over 2600 athletes will take part competing in 19 different sports next August. 800 Coaches, 750 Volunteers, 150 Officials and over 5000 family and friends will come together for the four-day event kicking off with a spectacular Opening Ceremony to be held at Sheffield United FC’s grounds. Special Olympics was created by

Ennice Kennedy Shriver, JFK’s sister back in the 1960’s.

Her commitment to promoting year round sporting opportunities followed up with meaningful competition for those with intellectual disabilities was instrumental in changing not only people’s attitudes but implementing landmark legislation on disability rights that we all take for granted today.

Today, Special Olympics is an international organisation, the largest of its kind in the world.

The Special Olympic World Games take place every two years alternating between Summer and Winter Games. Here in the UK, our National Games are held every four years and will be the selection event for the next Summer

What is the next competition that you’re competing in?

General Gymnastics Level 2 Competition in Easton in April where we’ll be showing off new routines now that she’s moved up from level 1. In June the National Down Syndrome Gymnastics Championship in Leicester - lots of practice required and looking forward to meeting up with team GB last met in Milan Evie Punches the Air How often do you practice ?

Twice a week 1.5 hours with more practicing for the National Games to be arranged

continued

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STORIES

World Games in 2019.

Although Evie trains as a SONorfolk athlete, at the National Games, she will be representing the Eastern Region. This is made up of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, East Herts and North Cambs. I know that Norfolk and Suffolk have around 30 athletes each that they are hoping to take. It costs approximately £500 per person and everyone is furiously fundraising and looking for sponsorship.

A National campaign has just been launched to help find volunteers to run these Sheffield Games, just as they did for our very own Olympics back in 2012. If anyone is interested in fundraising, volunteering or donating then please contact Nicola Fish (Norfolk) on 01603 453891 or specialolympicsnorfolk@gmail.com or Terry McEntee (Suffolk) on 07775557784 or terrymcentee474@gmail. com for further details.

As you can see, we have a lot to look forward to and tonnes of practising to do. Evie’s recent successes and all the wonderful support and publicity she’s received (thanks Wendy!) means that numbers at our Special Olympic session at Long Stratton Gym Club are swelling! We are always looking for helpers. Indeed, I’ve been inspired to take my level one coaching qualification in order to do my bit and facilitate as many kids and parents as possible having the same sporting opportunities and experiences as Evie and myself. It really has been life-changing in so many positive ways.

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“I’ve been inspired to take my level one coaching qualification in order to do my bit and facilitate as many kids and parents as possible having the same sporting opportunities and experiences as Evie and myself.

It really has been lifechanging in so many positive ways.”

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS #01

T

his is a relatively new initiative established by the Trust. Over the course of a year, the Trust receives a wide range of applications for funding. The Trustees introduced the award because they wanted to reward an applicant who had particularly impressed them with the quality of their application. Although many applications received are well put together, to be worthy of consideration for the Applicant of the Year award, the application needs to have that often indefinable ‘little something extra’, which demonstrates drive, determination and spirit to succeed or support others to succeed.

Evie was chosen as the recipient for

the 2015/16 award as it was clear from her application that she had the motivation, focus and drive to succeed. This, coupled with support from her family and friends was a recipe for success. It was also great to see how supportive her Gymnastics club were.

“Evie is an amazing young lady and we were delighted to be able to support her. Her drive, enthusiasm and determination are clear for all to see and we think she has a very bright future ahead of her” – Yvonne Mason, Chair of Trustees

The Mason Trust Applicant of the Year Award

Previous Award

The recipient of the inaugural award was Signpost Gunton for their Dreamworx project, based in Lowestoft. This particular project is aimed at helping build young people’s self-esteem and confidence. They provide a drop in facility three evenings a week which enables young people to get information and advice on a variety of subjects, meet up with friends, get a hot drink/ snack and be safe. ●

FASHION

YLM

MAKEOVER STORIES

Hilary, Aileen, Sue & Angela Makeover Days have always been a great day out with friends.

At the start of our Spring season we had a fabulous group of ladies come along – this is what they said about their experience…

Makeup...

{ A SPRING MAKEOVER WITH FRIENDS }

“Learning how to apply my makeup was so interesting, plus loads of new tips that I will definitely use” — Sue

At the end of the day…

Clothes Styling…

“It was a day full of laughter, lovely food and I felt like I made some real good friends.” — Angela

“The one area I lack confidence is trying on clothes in front of people. I am one of those people who buys outfits but takes them home to try them on. However, I really enjoyed the experience this time, trying on outfits I would never have looked at before.

The hardest decision was deciding which ones to buy. I cannot wait to come again – it was a wonderful day.”

— Hilary

“I cannot wait to come again and promised my friends we will visit when they are next over – a wonderful day!”

— Hilary “I truly look forward to my next wonderful experience with you.”

— Aileen “What a lovely way to spend a day.” — Sue

Hair…

“Having my hair restyled made a difference to how I felt about myself – I felt on top of the world!”

— Aileen

If you would like to find out more about makeover days then please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the following methods, visit our website, www.dream-on.co.uk, Telephone 01379 678483 or email, info@dream-on.co.uk

We would love to hear from you.

May 2016

53

Gardeners Gifts

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ART & DESIGN

YLM

"Seren is the Welsh word for star - its a nod to my Welshness.

I grew up in South Wales although I've lived here for 20 years."

cut///create A B OU T -

We recently met up with Jo Green from Seren Papercuts to find out what papercutting means to her, but then thought... what actually is papercutting? So trusty Wikipedia came up with the answer. “It is the art of cutting paper designs.� Well, who would have guessed that?

It seems that as an art form it dates back to the 4th century after the invention of the paper by the Chinese. Uses for papercutting range from religious decorations to stencils for patterns in embroidery, window designs, paper lanterns and even furniture.

Photography Supplied

FEATURED ARTIST

Star,Owl,Hare framed ltd. edition lasercut

Frost field owl mounted original papercut

Papercut lanterns next page Love & Laughter framed ltd. edition lasercut

01

Q&A

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ART & DESIGN

YLM

FEATURED ARTIST

Q&A How was Seren Papercuts born?

I fell into papercutting almost by accident. I'm not a trained artist although I've always drawn and painted and I did think about going to art school after my A Levels.

Instead I went to Cambridge Uni, did a history degree and then trained as a journalist in Cardiff. Until I started papercutting I worked as a feature writer for the EDP. I'm a big fan of Rob Ryan's papercuts and I have a few at home. Three years ago I bought myself a craft knife and a book and had a go, just to see what it was like. The result wasn't brilliant but got me hooked and after a few months I posted pictures of some of the work I'd done up on my Facebook page. A friend shared it with a friend of his who worked for a gallery, she suggested I bring some work up to show her and to my surprise she loved it. Thanks to them I took part

a workshop with someone like me and learn how to do it with a small group. Some of the work being done by artists is breathtaking - Helen Musselwhite is one of my favourites - but simple designs can also work really well so just have a go.

in an exhibition in Norwich. I did pretty well and that was when I wondered if I could make a career out of it. Seren is the Welsh word for star its a nod to my Welshness, as I grew up in South Wales although I've lived here for 20 years. Since then I've sold my work to customers across the world and have shown in galleries in Cambridge, London and here in East Anglia.

You also need a steady hand and patience. Paper is a natural material and it has its own quirks and responds to temperatures in its own way and you need to consider that when you're working with it. I run workshops during the year and although at the end of the day everyone goes home with something they're happy with, some people take to it more easily than others.

Tell us about your process, we imagine

Do you have any exhibitions coming up

like to visit in search of inspira-

that it demands a great deal of planning

this year?

tion?

and patience?

I have lots going on this year as it’s the first year I've focused on getting my work out to more stockists.

Papercutting can be quite time consuming and it frustrates me sometimes when I can't get all the ideas I have out of my head and onto paper.

My business partner, Lesley works with shops and galleries and looks after our events calendar and the online shop while I focus on designing and making the stock and getting it out. As well as papercuts, lasercuts and original commissions we sell cards, lanterns, lamps and other paper gifts that we make and hand finish here in Norfolk and Suffolk. We attend a few big events during the year - this Christmas we're in Harrogate at the Country Living Fair in December.

I'm hugely influenced by my Welsh heritage and the woods around my home in Garboldisham as I include lots of flowers, foliage and hares and owls in my work and the work of Lotte Reiniger and Kay Nielsen helps me think about shapes and patterns.

Papercutting has a long tradition in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and when I can I go there for inspiration. Scandinavian design and the colour palettes you see there - reds, blues, greys and whites, are a big influence on what I do.

Do you have some favorite places or resources to that you

I work in my shepherd's hut studio which is in my garden and has lots of natural light.I draw all my designs before I cut them and now I'm more experienced the drawing takes longer than the cutting. That's especially true if I'm using words in a design as I have to write those in backwards so that when the design is turned over to the 'right' side (the side without any sketches on it) the words read the right way. Lots of my work is commission-based so it’s sometimes tricky taking people's ideas and turning them into something that they'll want to look at and love for years.

You get funny lists of things they want included in a design - monkeys, elephants, football slogans, I've had them all although they don't all get included!

and stencil art will evolve in the next 10 years? Will we see more 3D-printed work for example?

What is the most unique commission

“Paper is a natural material and it has its own quirks and responds to temperatures in its own way and you need to consider that when you’re working with it.”

How do you think paper-cutting

you have taken on?

The most challenging and interesting one to date was when I was asked to design autumn and winter shop window displays for the Norwich jeweller Winsor Bishop in 2014. For that I had to work in 3D paper sculpture, making frosted, illuminated book sculptures and bell jar scenes for the counter tops and windows.

It introduced me to the idea of making three dimensional paper scenes, something I now do every year for weddings or in my Christmas lit bell-jars.

I think 3D printers will definitely make it much easier for people to use paper in amazing, sculptural ways .

The traditional skill of papercutting will never go out of fashion and will always be an art. People have been using their hands and a knife or scissors to create beautiful, fragile paper art for hundreds of years.

The materials are inexpensive, the only limit is your skill and your imagination. ●

What advice would you have for anyone looking to get into paper-cutting?

Get a craft knife, some plasters (you'll need them at first!) and a good book or look for free stencils on the web. There is a lot of free information out there as paper cutting is very fashionable right now. Or come on

-

To discover more of Jo’s work, stockist list and events calendar, please visit serenpapercuts.co.uk f Seren Papercuts

Your work could appear here! Submit your portfolio and brief biog to ben@ylm.co.uk

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May 2016

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YOUR LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE for NORFOLK & SUFFOLK

l

EARLY BIRD ENTRIES

calling

all creative

w r iters Do DO you YOU like LIKE writing WRITING short SHORT stories?

STORIES? Want WANT to TO see SEE your YOUR work WORK published?

PUBLISHED?

To launch our new short story page this summer we will be running a competition to be published and win prizes* We’ll We’llalso alsoarrange arrangefor forlocal localauthors authorsand andcelebrities celebritiesto toreview reviewyour yourwork workand andselect selectthe thetop toppieces picks Topicscan canbe beas asbroad broadas asthe thesea seaisiswide. wide. Politics, Politics, Sci-Fi, sci-fi, thriller Topics Thriller––you youchoose… choose…

SUBMIT A SMALL SAMPLE OF YOUR WORK (250 WORDS MAX) VIA EMAIL TO BARNEY@YLM.CO.UK

-

*T&C’s Prizes and entry details to be confirmed at a later date. All entries will be considered and a selected few chosen for print. The vendor reserves the right to suspend, cancel or modify the terms of the competition at any time without notice. Closing date for entries Wednesday 31st August 2016

LOVING LIFE IN NORFOLK & SUFFOLK

BOOK CLUB

YLM

Reviews by Diss Publishing 01379 644612 disspublishing.co.uk

Raptor: A Journey Through Birds James Macdonald Lockhart £16.99

-

This book is a fascinating look at fifteen different raptors in fifteen different landscapes.

The author’s great grandfather was an early pioneer in bird photography and James spent his childhood surrounded by stunning images of birds. This has been a lifelong passion of his and the book explores everything from a Hen Harrier on Orkney to a Hobby in Dorset.

Basque: Spanish Recipes from San Sebastian &

High-Rise

Beyond

J. G. Ballard

Jose Pizarro

£8.99

£16.99

THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

-

Reissued this year (coinciding

Jose Pizarro grew up in the

with the release of the film), this

Basque region of Spain and he

1975 dystopian classic deals

has picked a variety of recipes

with a group of professionals

which bring back memories of

living in an exclusive building,

his childhood and encompass the

whose internal society descends

unique taste of his home. These

into chaos. Chilling and surreal.

satisfying authentic recipes

01379 669 299 | ben@circuitmedia.co.uk | l Circuit Media UK

SALES PEOPLE REQUIRED

provide a simple way to recreate the taste of Spain from delicious

A House Full of Daughters

tortillas to traditional dishes such

Juliet Nicholson

as sukalki, a stew that’s similar

£16.99

to ragu, with plenty of beautiful

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photos both of the mouth-

An accomplished historian

watering dishes and the dramatic

turns her attention to telling the

scenery of the Basque area.

story of her own family history.

From the slums of Malaga to culturally and politically prominent echelons of London and New York, an account of the lives, struggles and secrets of seven generations of women.

Beautifully written, honest, and moving.

Nibbles: The Book Monster Emma Yarlett £11.99 There’s a little monster called Nibbles who likes to nibble lots of things but especially through books to cause chaos in other stories! Like biting the giant’s bum in Jack and the Beanstalk and running off with the golden goose.

A really fun book which can be enjoyed by all ages and which encourages readers to get involved and interact with the story as there are plenty of flaps to lift and see what Nibbles is getting up to. Brilliantly illustrated with some great twists on the classic fairytales.

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STORIES

YLM

#faith stories

Still time…

i am in training, and the evidence suggests that I’m neither as young nor as fit as I once was! It’s not that I have a marathon to run, oh no, I’m not that keen; but my eldest daughter and I are getting ready to take part in the 10th Anniversary St Elizabeth Hospice Midnight Walk. I would have settled for doing the 5-mile option quite happily, but Sarah suggested that a personal challenge was in order, so we’re taking the 10mile route instead. It’ll be fine; I know people who have walked much further and survived, and although I don’t consider that I’m ready yet, there’s still time.

As the day approaches, I do find myself wondering why anyone in their right

mind would set out in the middle of the night to walk all that way?! Watch out for my report in next month’s YLM when I’ll tell you if we completed the challenge and how it all went, but for now let me try to explain the why…

You know how every once in a while you get to witness something special, an intimate moment shared by others that leaves you feeling a bit like an intruder, and yet privileged to have been there all at the same time?

Well that was me one day just over two years ago, and the memory will live long in my heart. That afternoon, I received a lesson in faithfulness and commitment that moved and challenged me more than reading any book on the subject ever could have.

Cradled gently by the hospice bed in which he slept, a frail, elderly husband woke briefly. His devoted wife, attentive to his every move, heaved herself out of her chair, and bending tenderly over him asked if he would like her to read the verse of the day. Eventually a faint nod was detected and slowly, deliberately, as she had done every day for what was beginning to feel like a very long time, she read this verse from the well-thumbed pages of her Bible:

grandparents themselves.

Standing unseen at the end of the bed, in that most sacred place, silent tears coursed down my cheeks as it suddenly dawned on me that the prayers of this beloved man would soon be silenced. His race was almost run, and with that realisation it felt like a baton had been passed on; you see, when it comes to praying, for me, there’s still time.

So, on Saturday 7th May, when most people will be tucked up in their cosy beds, Sarah and I, along with several hundred others, will be setting out to pound the streets of Ipswich in the middle of the night dressed in neon, with the collective aim of raising as much as we can for the work of the St Elizabeth Hospice.

And for this daughter and grand-daughter, memories of a cherished Dad and Grandad, of his resilience and determination, will keep us going, even when we’ve had enough and even though I think I can hear him saying, “You must need your heads testing together.”

He may be right! ●

NEXT MONTH

SUMMER SUN

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Then they both closed their eyes and together they thanked God for the comfort they found in the wonderful truth of those words before praying, as they did every day, even now, for their children, most of whom were

Words by Sue Johnson Get involved via f

@ylmuk t @ylmuk

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WHAT ’S ON

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FEATURED EVENT

MYSTERY MEN Morgan & West present: ‘Parlour Tricks’ Time travelling Victorian magic

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Fun for all ages, 5 to 105, ‘Parlour Tricks’ is a spectacle of prestidigitation with panache.

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MORE EVENTS AFTER THE TURN

YLM

A selection of forthcoming events in our region

on now UNTIL Fri 31st March 2017 Life through the Eyes of East Anglian Artists The 2015 Suffolk Museum of the Year, the Museum of East Anglian Life, is pleased to announce its latest temporary exhibition, “Life through the Eyes of East Anglian Artists”. The exhibition will feature paintings, drawings, and watercolours by well-known 19th and 20th century artists from our region; many of which have never been publicly displayed before. The pictures will be complemented by artefacts from the Museum collection to connect what we see with how we live now and in the past.

Some of the artists may be familiar such as John Moore, Arthur James Stark and brothers Thomas and Edward Robert Smythe from the nineteenth century and the drawings of twentieth century artists Anna Airy and Harry Becker. All have connections with East Anglia and the works have been selected to illustrate the living and working conditions of local people.

Many of the oil paintings are presented in their original frames and most have never been on public display before.

Abbot’s Hall, Museum of East Anglian Life, IP14 1DL eastanglianlife.org.uk FRI 6th - THURS 12th Eastern Promise Eastern Promise is an exhibition featuring work from three Suffolk artists, Annette Rolston, Mike Fenton and Clare Gaylard.

Annette and Mike both excel at handcarving linocuts. Their inspiration comes from the rural environment of East Anglia. Animals feature heavily, the iconic hare, owls and garden birds, horses, deer, garden creatures and insects such as butterflies, dragonflies, bees, frogs and snails.

Clare Gaylard is inspired by people, places, objects, artefacts and stories to create her jewellery sculptures and handmade glass beads using a technique called flame work or lampwork.

The Quay Gallery, Snape Maltings IP17 1SR 01728 688303 snapemaltings.co.uk

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ThuRS 12TH Mark Steel: Who Do I Think I Am? Mark talks about being adopted, and the remarkable things he discovered when searching for his biological parents. Mark is a regular on BBC One’s Have I Got News For You and Radio 4’s Newsquiz. He’s also appeared on BBC2’s QI and Room 101.

The Apex, IP33 3FD 8pm | £15 01284 758000 | theapex.co.uk Fri 13TH & Sat 14TH ‘Flat’ Rodrigo Pardo An apartment like any other is suspended from the walls of The Forum; watch from below as one man climbs, falls and leaps around his home. With video animations and mapping technology constantly transforming the room he inhabits, reality is shifted in this breathtaking show. As you gaze up at the performer hanging horizontal in the air, you can’t help but question your perceptions of time, space and gravity.

The Forum, Norwich 10pm | FREE nnfestival.org.uk Sat 14th & Sun 15th Suffolk Antiques and Vintage Weekend Now in it’s fifth year, expect to find both inside and outside stalls selling an array of antiques, vintage, collectables and memorabilia, with everything from, jewellery, china, stamps, militaria, linen and toys, furniture, fine art, architectural furniture, decorators pieces, vintage clothing, bric-a-brac.

This year the inside barn has been extended and is now twice the size, with further toilet facilities added.

Stonham Barns, IP14 6AT 9am - 3pm | £1 - £2 01449 711111 | stonham-barns.co.uk SAT 21st SONGS OF THE SEA East Anglian folk band Syzewell Gap will be taking part in an exciting collaboration with local singing groups for two concerts in May. Halesworth Community Choir and Crossing the Border will join forces with Syzewell Gap to perform a program of nautically themed material, Songs Of The Sea. St. Peter & St. Paul Church, Hoxne 7.30pm | £8

Tickets from Post Office Stores Hoxne crossingtheborder.jk@gmail.com

Sat 21st & Sun 22nd The Garden Party With extraordinary performances and entertainment for all ages, The Garden Party is the place to be during the middle weekend of Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Encounter a fire-breathing dragon made of scrap metal, experience vivid sound installations, marvel at a unique flying machine and enjoy circus, live music, dance and much more...

Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich 11am - 5pm | FREE nnfestival.org.uk Sun 22ND Laura Mvula The soulful singer-songwriter from Birmingham performs material from her second album, The Dreaming Room, including Overcome, her collaboration with Nile Rodgers from Chic.

Laura Mvula’s liquid, lyrical poetry, immersive gospel and jazz-influenced harmony and a truly outstanding voice recall the influence of greats like Nina Simone and Erykah Badu. Weaved into overwhelmingly powerful orchestral arrangements, her songs shine brightly – she is a new star of UK music.

The Waterfront, NR1 1QH 7.30pm | £15 01603 508050 thewaterfront.ticketabc.com ALDE ESTUARY WALK FOR EARLY BIRDS Enjoy the birdsong of the marshes, woodland and heathland. The Wild Adventures Under Suffolk’s Skies guides will help identify Nightingales, Cetti’s Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Curlews and others. Part of Suffolk Walking Festival Plough & Sail, Snape Maltings, IP17 1SP 6.30am | £19 (includes breakfast) 01449 711111 suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

Thurs 26TH The Sons of Pitches ‘The Naked Choir’ winners The Sons of Pitches is a multi-award winning British vocal group combining soaring solos, impeccable harmonies and sensational beatboxing to stunning effect.

Crowned winners of BBC 2 TV series ‘The Naked Choir’ in October 2015, The Sons have captivated audiences with highly creative vocal gymnastics and

WHAT ’S ON

a programme of inventive pop covers, original numbers and entertaining improvised songs.

The Apex, IP33 3FD 7.30pm | £20-£24.50 01284 758000 theapex.co.uk

subject matter perfectly suited to his style of work.

The Pennoyer Centre, Pulham St Mary FREE 01449 771123 | info@artactiv.co.uk

Martin Figura: Doctor Zeeman’s Catastrophe Machine Presented by Writers’ Centre Norwich as part of Norfolk & Norwich Festival Multi award-winning Norwich poet Martin Figura is performing his new multimedia show Doctor Zeeman’s Catastrophe Machine at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Former Army Major Figura rose to national acclaim with his book and stageshow ‘Whistle’ which told of the shocking events surrounding his mother’s death at the hand of his father.

The show toured extensively in the UK and to India and won the Hamish Canham Prize, the Sabotage Best Spoken Word Show and was nominated for the Ted Hughes Award.

In the new show he attempts sort out love, loss and when to let go. Is there an equation for love and the behaviour of a beating heart? What can be retrieved from life’s catastrophes and wounds?

Taking in the latter half of the 20th Century, the ‘post war, mod or rocker generation’ of which Figura (an occasional mod) is part. It blurs the edges of personal and collective memory as he explores family, relationships and belonging against a changing social, historical and political backdrop.

Norwich Arts Centre, NR2 4PG 8.45pm | £10 (or £18 joint ticket with Linton Kwesi Johnson same night) 01603 660352 norwichartscentre.co.uk martinfigura.co.uk

fri 3rd June HALF TERM BEACH DETECTIVES WALK What treasures will you discover on Felixstowe beach? Join Touching the Tide for a short walk and we’ll explore and share what we find.

This walk is suitable for all ages. Wrap up warm with lots of layers for warmth.

Wear shoes suitable for walking on shingle.

Felixstowe Pier, IP11 2AB 11am - Midday | FREE touchingthetide.org.uk

tues May 31st - wed June 15th Tom Lund-Lack: Creative Coverage Past Chairman of Suffolk Open Studios Thomas Lund-Lack exhibits his work in both the UK and the USA. His paintings are infused with powerful expressions of drama and movement.

“With many of the pieces I paint my aim is to arrest the motion of the subject and hold it fixed so that in a hundred years, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again,” says Thomas.

Not surprisingly Thomas gravitates to thoroughbred racing as an irresistible

COMING SOON

Sat 11th & Sun 12th June Eye Open Gardens weekend Over 30 gardens. The Town Hall will be offering refreshments and many stalls will be selling plants, a variety of crafts, garden paraphernalia and a book stall.

On Saturday evening there will be an evening of cabaret with Jessica Walker accompanied by Joseph Atkins taking us on a musical journey of popular songs over the past 90 years in celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday. This will take place in Eye Church, tickets £20 including a programme and a glass of wine in the interval.

EYE, SUFFOLK 12.30 – 6pm daily | £4 / £20 from the Town Hall 01379 871211 FRI 17th June Corn Hall on tour presents: Luke Wright’s Stand Up Poetry Club - with Jemima Foxtrot A bit of spoken word in the summer time? What a splendid idea.

Following on from Luke Wright’s epic poem What I Learned From Johnny Bevan we have Jemima Foxtrot with her show Melody.

The Stage called it a “a glittering show, a gem in every sense, a shining thing,” and we think they pretty much nailed it. Jemima’s been to the Corn Hall Poetry Club before, and her blend of song and sonically delightful spoken word won the crowd round that night.

Come and catch her in Melody as she explores how music attaches itself to

memories, people and places.

And what’s more, Luke Wright is your ever loving host with a new batch of his blistering poems.

Upstairs at The Scole Inn, IP21 4DR 8pm | £10.00 DCH Friend £8.50 Student £6.00 disscornhall.co.uk

Sat 18th June Midsummer Celebrations at Grundle Farm Grundle Farm is a traditional Suffolk farm dating from the 17th century. The farm garden, woodland walk and dell contain ancient timber barns shrouded with creeper and hollyhocks. There are wildlife ponds full of frogs and newts and a waterfall in the spring which all make Grundle Farm a very special place.

It is the perfect setting for a traditional Midsummer Celebration and you will feel that you have stepped back in time to the tranquil golden summers of long ago. Ideal for families, the afternoon will be crammed with many delights: make a garland for your hair, join in the exciting drama workshop that tells the tale of a young hare and his friends, and follow the musicians as they lead the dancing procession through the fragrant hay meadows. Learn how to make your own musical instruments, feast on fabulous cakes and have a go at throwing horseshoes or splatting the rat. Then, as the sun drops in the sky, dance in the Great Barn to the sound of fiddles, melodeons and pipes. The celebration is to raise money for the Red Cross.

Grundle Farm, IP22 1PB 01359 253614 grundlefarm.weebly.com SAT 25th & SUN 26th June Blooming Bressingham and Fragrant Fersfield Open Gardens Weekend Visit lovely gardens in two neighbouring villages in the beautiful upper Waveney Valley. Attractions include: Refreshments, Photography Exhibit, Craft and Plant stalls, and Music.

Take part in a fun and informative Gardeners’ Question Time with a difference on Saturday, 25th at 7.30p.m. in Bressingham Village Hall. What gardening questions do you have?

Our expert panel members, Jaime Blake, Ben Potterton, Guy Barker, Chris Grey-­‐‑ Wilson and Adrian Bloom (Chair) will be happy to help solve your gardening problems: Entry

also £5. Ice Cream and Popcorn for sale. Bar. Grand Prize draw.

Bressingham & Fersfield 10.30am -­5.30pm daily | £5 01379 687729 hollyjl@btinternet.com

Sun 26th June ‘Free From’ Baking Workshop Fiona Murphy is Chief Baker at Moo Moo Cakes, where she bakes delicious creations in her country kitchen in Cavendish, Suffolk. Fiona loves to experiment and adapt recipes to give them additional health benefits and she bakes with an emphasis on reducing or eliminating wheat, refined sugars, dairy and eggs.

Join Fiona on Sunday June 26th when she will be running a fabulous Free From Workshop creating deliciously moreish cakes and bakes that are totally ‘Free From’ gluten and refined sugars and she will be offering lots of advice on baking without dairy or eggs too.

Tickets include refreshments, a full cooking demo, plenty of tasty samples and a Suffolk Market Events Goodie Bag complete with recipes and a delicious surprise from Moo Moo Cakes.

UPSTAIRS @ LAVENHAM FARMERS’ MARKET 11am – 1pm | £25 07704 627973 suffolkmarketevents.co.uk

book it now!

Sat 2ND JULY Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott The Beautiful South stars Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott are embarking on a UK tour to coincide with the release of their new album, Wisdom, Laughter and Lines.

This record is the second from Paul and Jacqui following the critically acclaimed What Have We Become, which saw them return together on record for the first time since the multi-million selling days of The Beautiful South, who in the 1990s and early 2000s released a string of critically-acclaimed records.

Paul also had resounding success with The Housemartins and was responsible for writing hits such as ‘Rotterdam’, ‘Don’t Marry Her’ and ‘Perfect 10’.

High Lodge Forest Centre, IP27 0AF 6pm | £36.25 01842 816000 whathavewebecome.net

Disclaimer: Text supplied. Whilst every effort has been made to make this listing as accurate as possible, we recommend that you verify times and dates etc. prior to attending any events. Entries for June by 10th May via info@ylm.co.uk

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