Places&Faces January/February 2024

Inspiring Women

FREE

PAID EDIT

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Life&Living

Food&Drink

Out&About

pick me up

WIN a Handmade

Hummingbird Necklace

by Jana Reinhardt

VISIT

Norwich inspiring women

CAROLINE DAY find the perfect

PUFFER

are you

?

WINTER READY

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Nor folk & Suf folk January / February 2024 | Issue No: 158

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CONTENTS

WELCOME

to the January/February edition, where we’re diving headfirst into the new year with all the zest of a puppy discovering its tail! In the spirit of fresh beginnings (and untangling last year’s fairy lights), we’re exploring the fine art of decluttering your space.

Because who needs a museum of mismatched Tupperware, right? Read all the tips from professional organiser Kim Steer.

Wondering what’s on in Norfolk and Suffolk? Spoiler alert: It’s not just cozying up to a cuppa by the fireplace. From local events to hidden gems, we’ve got your social calendar covered. Because FOMO should be reserved for bad hair days, not missed opportunities.

And speaking of opportunities, have you seen the dazzling hummingbird necklace which can be won on page 21? It’s so beautiful; even magpies are contemplating entering our fabulous competition.

Now, let’s talk fashion. Forget winter blues; it’s all about rocking puffer jackets like you’re about to solve crimes in a stylish, yet cozy, detective drama. Sherlock who?

Fashionistas, take note!

So, dear readers, grab your favourite beverage, cozy up, and let this issue be your guide to a winter wonderland of laughter, style, and the occasional squirrel stealing your bird feeder (those little rascals).

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7

What’s on

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Norwich Theatre

13 Visit Norwich 19 Fully Booked 21 Robust resolutions 23 Jarrolds: Ask the expert 24 The Next Loaf 27 Itailian Flatbread 29 Fashion 33 Polly Vincent

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35 Inspiring Women: Caroline Day 39 John Lewis 43 Style your home happy

Andrew Hirst EDITOR

45 Interior trends 47 Gardening with Tom

@PlacesandFaces @PlacesandFaces

45

@PlacesandFacesMagazines

49 Ask Angela 50 Fitness

Subscribe online 12 ISSUES for only £20 visit: www.placesandfaces.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS: Andrew Hirst, Jade Soanes, Mel Cook, Polly Coleman, Chantel Heath, Tom Strowlger, Sarah Hardy, Francesca Armour-Chelu, Charlie Smith-Knight, Andy Newman, Rebecca Bishop, Gemma Mathers ADVERTISING SALES Shaun Dawson T: 01502 725 878 E: shaun.dawson@micropress.co.uk

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DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Andrew Hirst T: 01502 725860 E: andrew.hirst@micropress.co.uk Jade Soanes T: 01502 725840 E: jade.soanes@micropress.co.uk

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Mark Shreeve T: 01502 725839 E: mark.shreeve@micropress.co.uk Polly Coleman T: 01502 725800 E: polly.coleman@micropress.co.uk

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TERMS & CONDITIONS Copyright on all content is with Countrywide Publications. Reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. All prices, events and times were correct at the time of print, and you are encouraged to contact the businesses and venues prior to making bookings. All expressions and opinions demonstrated within the publication, are those of the Publisher including contributors. Places&Faces® is a registered Trade Mark of Micropress Printers Ltd. COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS IS A TRADING NAME OF continued on page xx ➤ MICROPRESS PRINTERS LTD.

COMPETITION - TERMS & CONDITIONS The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over except employees of Micropress Printers Ltd and their close relatives and anyone otherwise connected with the organisation or judging of the ➤not continued from pagereason. xx The prize is competition. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition. Only one entry will be accepted per person. No responsibility can be accepted for entries received for whatever as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.

Winners will be chosen at random, from all entries received. The winner will be notified by email, telephone or social media. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 1 month of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.

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Out&About

Going

out

Under the Sea Trail 10-24 February, Chantry Place

Enjoy a self-led family trail with Chantry Place and Norwich Science Festival this February half term, to discover ‘Great Britain’s Barrier Reef’ – the Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds!

Follow the trail around Chantry Place from Saturday 10 February to Saturday 24 February to discover eight of the most amazing animals and plants that make this 100-million-year-old chalk reef, and its surrounding environments, their home! From seals to starfish and the never-before seen purple sponge, you won’t believe the incredible sea life on our doorstep. Can you find all eight creatures?

Take a moment to stop by our ‘Under the Sea’ Selfie Station and take a memorable photo with all the family – and don’t forget to use the hashtag #NorwichSciFest24!

Complete your trail to collect a reward sticker and enter the competition to win a £100 Langleys gift card, kindly provided

by Chantry Place. Collect your free trail map from Langleys in Chantry Place, or from The Forum.

This event is supported by Chantry Place. The Under the Sea trail is beautifully illustrated by local artist, Bethany Lester. www.chantryplace.co.uk

The East Anglian Game & Country Fair 27 & 28 April

This two-day event welcomes world class attractions each year. Main Arena displays confirmed for this year’s show include ‘The Squibb Freestyle Motocross Show’, performing breathtaking jumps and stunts mid-air. www.ukgamefair.co.uk

Lynn Grove Academy presents SISTER ACT 31 January - 2 February, Lynn Grove Gorleston

Don’t miss this amazing Lynn Grove Academy Pupil performance of Sister Act. Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

To book tickets scan the QR code, or go to www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/ great-yarmouth/lynn-grove-academy

Norwich Science Festival 17-24 February, The Forum

The Forum in Norwich is starting 2024 off with a bang, with the popular Norwich Science Festival returning in February half-term and creative celebration Norfolk Makers Festival back in April. Both these interactive festivals are presented by the team at The Forum, and promise lots of fun for everybody to enjoy with a range of free and affordable events, workshops, and activities.

Norwich Science Festival, taking place 17-24 Feb, includes an epic line-up of shows, talks, and events, as well as the free Explorium found in the centre of The Forum. Highlights include CBBC star Maddie Moate’s family show on wildlife conservation, and the science behind your favourite pint with Jaega Wise.

Norfolk Makers Festival, at The Forum 13-21 Apr, promises to inspire creativity and showcase amazing makers of all kinds from the local community. Visitors can have a go at something new, from wood carving to weaving, and admire work from local artists and creators.

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Chatting to Bob Barrett

2024:

The year to get creative Thinking about what your New Year’s resolutions should be?

Why not make 2024 the year you get creative with one of Norwich Theatre’s take part activities. The latest workshops include things to get all ages moving, singing and writing, but perhaps not all at once!

Whatever you opt for, you will be able If you know boys who need a new activity in the New Year The Boys to explore creative expression in a Movement Company might be a safe space. Talking about the new term, Sam Dawson, Head of Creative perfect opportunity. The company is a new group for boys aged 11-18 that Engagement at Norwich Theatre, said: “We work hard to create a place will explore a wide range of styles and have access to some of the of welcome for all, and everyone professional companies on Norwich can reap the benefits of taking part Theatre’s stages. All the sessions are in our activities. This is why Norwich Theatre’s latest take part sessions led just £5. by expert practitioners help you wind down from life’s daily stress, meet new Thanks to funding from the Alison Copley Trust and the Norfolk people and learn a new skill.”

Community Foundation, we are now able to offer new places on Theatre The New Voices Choir will sing a Cares: A Life in Music. This project vibrant selection of songs whilst teaching you techniques. No previous is a collaboration between Musical Keys and Norwich Theatre, with experience is necessary – the group practitioners experienced in working is open to anyone with an interest with those living with dementia. in engaging their voice and learning Workshops are relaxed and set to a something new. Toddlers and babies leisurely pace. No previous music or can Sing, Dance and Play in a creative experience is necessary. All supportive space perfect for getting instruments are provided. stuck in and exploring moving with multi-sensory props.

If a price is a barrier to taking part, Older adults have a range of activities Norwich Theatre’s My Theatre scheme is designed to make sure that to pick from, including the popular creative experiences and theatre can Ballet and Dance Lab – a session be accessible to as many people as to develop your musicality and possible. The scheme offers audience choreographic skills – both sessions members on low-income subsidised are for those aged 50 plus. Creative or free places on Take Part activities Café has been designed for those as well as the opportunity to access aged over 65 to get together and tickets to shows for £10. explore their creativity; each month, an expert practitioner will guide the group through a new activity. Theatre For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Makers: Ageless Wisdoms is a safe space to celebrate stories of growth, Box Office on 01603 630 000. reinvention and wisdom.

01603 630 000 norwichtheatre.org

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Star of Holby City Bob Barrett talks to us about his new role as Doctor Armstrong in the Agatha Christie play And Then There Were None.

For people who are new to And Then There Were None, what is it all about?

I can’t say too much because I don’t want to give the game away but basically the premise is that ten people have been invited to Soldier Island, near Devon, by Mr and Mrs Owen and they all think they’re there for legitimate reasons. Then, when they turn up, they find out that all is not as it seems.

How would you describe Doctor Armstrong?

He’s a former surgeon who left to become a nerve specialist and he has risen to the top of the tree. He’s a Harley Street surgeon and he’s world-renowned, and as a person he’s patrician and quite remote, keeping himself to himself.

What appealed to you about the play?

I played a doctor in Holby City for 12 years, but Doctor Armstrong is a totally different character, and I don’t often get to play characters like this. I tend to play more sympathetic characters.

The novel is the best-selling crime story of all time. Why do you think that is?

It’s so perfectly constructed, and Lucy Bailey, the Director, has done a brilliant new take on it.

Why do you think theatregoers love a good thriller?

They’re more invested in a thriller than any other genre because there’s something to solve. In the interval everyone’s going ‘Well, who do you think it is?’ which is very exciting.

And Then There Were None is at Norwich Theatre Royal between 30 Jan - 3 Feb. For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.

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Out&About

Going

out

2024: A year of

GREAT

THEATRE 2024

is set to be a fantastic year with a stellar range of shows heading to Norwich Theatre. There’s something for all the family, from toe-tapping musicals and West End spectaculars, to performances that will have you guessing and laughing in equal measure. You will need to book fast to avoid missing out on these highly sought-after tickets. norwichtheatre.org

She Go Looks Back At 2023

10-21 Jan | Playhouse Shake off the Noo Yare blues with She Go as she casts a mascara’d eye over her favourite Norfolk news stories of 2023. Expect fun, filth, songs, slides and a heartfelt tribute to Mike Liggins.

Swan Lake Varna International Ballet

9 Feb | Royal Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2024 with three new ballets, including Swan Lake. The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score.

Bonnie and Clyde

12 – 16 Mar | Royal Discover the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire nation. Fearless, shameless and alluring, this awardwinning musical has garnered a mass following, much like the infamous pair themselves.

Crooners

15 Mar | Playhouse Packed with personality and humour, Crooners has been wowing audiences with its witty and exhilarating show full of hilarious one-liners, laugh out loud silliness and superb musical numbers with the outstanding 9-piece; The Mini Big Band.

Shrek the Musical

26 – 30 Mar | Royal Join Shrek and his trusty sidekick, Donkey, as they set out on a quest to defeat the fearsome dragon and rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona.

With a heartwarming story and a cast of unforgettable characters, this musical extravaganza is a journey you won’t want to miss.

Calendar Girls

2 – 6 Apr | Royal The story of the Calendar Girls launched a global phenomenon: a million copycat calendars, a record-breaking movie, a stage play and now a musical written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth.

Edward Scissorhands

16 – 20 Apr | Royal Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Matthew Bourne and his New Adventures Company return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world. continued on page 12 ➤

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Out&About

Going

out

➤ continued from page 11

The Boy at the Back of the Class

Grease

23 Apr – 27 Apr | Royal Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home.

3 – 8 Jun | Royal The world’s best-loved musical is back.

After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-nextdoor Sandy, are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more?

Drop the Dead Donkey

The 39 Steps

7 – 11 May | Royal Thirty years since the launch of the trailblazing, smash-hit TV series, the Globelink News team is back and now live on stage for the very first time.

Bursting with razor-sharp wit and classic British humour, this hot off-the-press production will leave you in stitches.

18 – 22 Jun | Royal Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps, brilliantly and hilariously recreated for the stage. Follow the incredible adventures of our handsome hero, Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache.

Cluedo 2

2 – 6 July | Royal As the bodies pile up, our infamous colourful characters uncover each other’s mysteries and secrets as they dart from room to room, trying to escape the murderer and survive the night.

101 Dalmatians

9 – 13 Jul | Royal When fashionista Cruella de Vil plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of adorable, tail-wagging young pups. This classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, showstopping choreography, witty songs and irresistible puppies!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

24 – 29 Sep | Royal A truly scrumptious musical based on the timeless children’s story. This ravishing award-winning musical is bursting with unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers, including Toot Sweets, Truly Scrumptious and, of course, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Come From Away

15 – 26 Oct | Royal This smash hit show shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community.

If you can’t decide, why not buy a gift voucher and let them pick the show of their dreams?

To book a show or purchase a voucher, head to norwichtheatre.org or call the box office on 01603 630 000 10

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Out&About

Norwich

an incredible

year for

A 900-year journey separates two of Norwich’s most impressive and visionary museums - from the pinnacle of Norman England to the ‘Big Questions’ of the world we live in today. During 2024 experience both ends of the scale like never before says Melanie Cook of www.VisitNorwich.co.uk Marking its 50th anniversary in 2023, The Sainsbury Centre broke with tradition and became the first museum in the world to recognise art as being alive. It made the headlines when The Guardian stated: “Please do touch: Norwich Sainsbury Centre asks visitors to interact with art.”

It was the beginning of a new era with the Sainsbury Centre Executive Director Jago Cooper explaining: “The Sainsbury Centre is a place where amazing art is alive, egalitarian and freely available for everyone to enjoy and experience in their own way. Dividing works of art by culture, artistic movement or time-period is a bit like putting them in prison restricting their ability to escape and communicate freely.

As living beings and a physical presence of the incredible people and cultures that created them, the art of the Sainsbury Centre can help reframe and answer the most important questions people have

in their lives. It is not a museum to only learn more about artists such as Francis Bacon or movements such as Modernism.

It is a place of experience, to witness the effects of substance abuse, understand why people kill each other and visualise the origins of a globalising world. We have developed the environment, experiences, and a new approach to help set visitors on this journey and I look forward to welcoming people here to do so.”

So, we begin the year with the next iteration of the Sainsbury Centre’s fascinating new programming addressing life’s ‘Big Questions’. Throughout the year, the Sainsbury Centre will be investigating how we can know what is true in the world around us through a series of intriguing, interlinked exhibitions.

The Centre will be pondering against a backdrop of fake news, elaborate scams and the presence of AI whether we are experiencing a time when increasingly sophisticated technology can distort reality and diminish our own sense of authenticity?

continued on page 15 ➤

THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES FIVE KEY EXHIBITIONS. Emmy winner 2021 for Interactive Media Documentary: ‘In Event of Moon Disaster’ (17 February – 4 August) is inspired by the title speech prepared by President Nixon in the event of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon

landing mission meeting with catastrophe.

Here artists Halsey Burgund (fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and previous MIT Media Lab where he held an artist research position) and Francesca Panetta (an independent artist and storyteller and former Creative Director at the MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality) present an immersive experience in a 1960s American living room, recreating the speech using ‘deepfake’ technology.

At the same time, ‘Liquid Gender’ (17 February – 4 August), explores the relationship between identity and culture, asking how do we know who we really are? The exhibition will include photography, collage, and sculpture, including a new holographic sculpture 13

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France. Fast forward 27 years, and the keep is completed in around 1121 by William’s brother Henry I and with this the castle becomes a centre of Norman rule for the city and its surrounding area.

Having ceased to be a royal palace, it was used for over 500 years as a prison without doubt a truly horrendous place to find oneself incarcerated.

Thankfully, in 1888 the castle was cited to become a museum and plans were produced. In 1894, the museum was opened by the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George V and Queen Mary.

Today, over 900 years on from the creation of the royal palace, we’re looking forward to celebrating a summer reopening of the Keep, seeing Norwich Castle becoming one of the UK’s premier heritage attractions which will also feature The British Museum’s first medieval gallery outside of London.

The incredible changes will include a new museum entrance - a magical lightfilled atrium adjacent to the Keep affording spectacular new views of the east façade showcasing the Norman Keep that has become an icon of medieval Norwich.

Visitors will be transported back to the 1100s to see it like they have never seen it

Out&About

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titled ‘In the Absence of Evidence, We Create Stories’ from Rashaad Newsome.

Other artists presenting works includes Leilah Babirye, Martine Gutierrez and Laryssa Machada and Antônio Vittal Neto Pankararu.

Jeffrey Gibson will become the first Indigenous solo artist to represent the USA at this year’s 60th Venice Biennale and is an American sculptor and painter creating autographical works inspired by his Choctaw-Cherokee heritage and international upbringing. Between 24 February – 4 August ‘Jeffrey Gibson: I Can Choose’, is his first solo exhibition in a UK museum. Creating a new site-specific installation for the Sainsbury Centre, the exhibition will include murals, paintings, textiles and historical objects, inviting the visitor to consider how Indigenous cultures have historically been displayed in museums.

From 18 May – 13 October, ‘The Camera Never Lies: Challenging images through The Incite Project’, re-evaluates some of the most iconic images over the past 100 years, asking to what extent they have shaped or created a false understanding of global events. Featuring 20th-century original photographs, along with the work of current photographic artists, the works will question assumed truths about diverse subjects.

900 years ago, Norwich was the UK’s second largest medieval city, this year we see the re-opening of Norwich Castle Keep, one of the most highly anticipated openings in recent years for Norwich.

The Royal Palace Reborn project at Norwich Castle started around five years ago. The project will return the Keep to its magnificent medieval status, transporting visitors back to the 1100s at a time that was an important moment in England’s history.

The story begins in 1067 when William the Conqueror orders the construction of a castle with earthworks and defensive ditches, destroying 98 Anglo-Saxon houses in the process. Eight years on, and a wooden motte and bailey castle - a flat topped circular mound with a wooden tower - defends itself against siege attempt during the rebellion of the Three Earls.

The 1090s sees William II’s plans commence to replace the wooden keep with limestone shipped from Caen in

before. The medieval floors will have been fully reinstated and original room spaces brought back to life. Every detail from architecture to furnishings will have also been carefully considered and researched to bring alive the sights and sounds of this palace of the Norman kings, as well as showcasing its influence and importance in twelfth-century England.

The experience will be immersive with projected shows in the recreated Great Hall and virtual reality headsets in the basement’s digital zone. The Gallery of Medieval Life will have over 1000 artefacts and treasures – 60 exceptional pieces on long-term loan from the British Museum alongside the castle’s own world-class collections, many that have not been on display before.

For the first time - from basement to battlements - the castle will be accessible, and it will be the first in the UK to be able to accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs onto the rooftop. There will also be a sensory map highlighting the castle’s quieter areas and those with lower lighting for visitors who need it. As well as larger toilets and a Changing Places facility.

Finally, there will be an exciting range of events and wide-ranging education programme including a bespoke gallery for early years visitors.

I for one cannot wait to experience the art and technology of the Sainsbury Centre programming juxtaposed against the re-launch of the medieval keep. No doubt the idea of visiting both incredible museums will attract visitors from far and wide to Norwich this year.

Norwich Castle Keep will re-launch during summer 2024, watch this space for the opening date.

For ideas of where to shop, eat, stay and visit in Norwich and Norfolk go to www.visitnorwich.co.uk.

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y

EXTRAVA�ANZA

Out&About

Februar

Join us on a journey where the alchemy of February love intertwines with the precision of scientific discovery, creating a harmonious ode to the heart says Melanie Cook of www.VisitNorwich.co.uk

The

reason we fall in love remains a question many people are intrigued by. So, I thought I’d look it up and I was surprised by the psychological list which included - mystery, readiness, unusualness and isolation.

The neuroscience behind falling in love is also interesting. Low levels of serotonin occur in people who are in love, adrenaline can make us feel like we are in love and dopamine drops into the picture when we feel we have close proximity to a new love – dopamine being a chemical produced by high amounts of reward and motivation.

This led me to think this can surely be applied to the many relationships we have with music, food, design, literature, sculpture, art, performance and the list goes on.

This month, Varna International Ballet comes to Norwich Theatre Royal with beautiful performances of Sleeping Beauty (8 February), Swan Lake (9 February) and The Nutcracker (10 February). With a live orchestra for this trio of Tchaikovsky, and sumptuous costumes and sets, be

transported through the power of classical scores and graceful movement into another world. Tickets cost £10 - £42.

Half term is off to a good start when the Royal Shakespeare Company arrives in Norwich with their latest First Encounters programme presenting on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February, Romeo & Juliet.

Aimed at a new generation of audience this is Shakespeare for 7 to 13-yearolds - an edited version of the original language by Robin Belfield and directed

by Philip J Morris. Bringing live theatre and Shakespeare to young people who may not have seen his work before, this will be a show for families and anyone who is a fan of the bard. Tickets are £13 - £15 and the show runs uninterrupted for 90 minutes.

With 17 Festival venues in Norwich city centre and more across Norfolk, there is something for everyone at Norwich Science Festival which started eight years ago. And with every year it grows in popularity and programming, including lots to do that is free!

Norfolk is a scientific county thanks to Norwich Research Park which is a partnership between the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and four independent world-renowned research institutes, the John Innes Centre, the Quadram Institute, the Earlham Institute, and The Sainsbury Laboratory. All of whom partner with Norwich Science Festival to bring an amazing and diversly exciting range of events to love between 17 – 24 February.

Artificial Intelligence is a subject we are hearing more and more about. As an aside the Sainsbury Centre’s exhibition programme includes said subject with their ‘In Event of Moon Disaster’ (pay if and what you can, 17 February – 4 August) so if you are interested in the topic of AI, make sure you get along to see this.

Back to the Science Festival and AI, love and feelings are very much on the agenda at CTRL-ALT-DELIGHT with Dr Kate Devlin.

This is a night of AI intimacy, electrifying as Dr Devlin explores our close interactions with technology. How is AI influencing our emotions? What does this mean for our own human connections? And have you ever swiped right on a chatbot? This is an 18+ event, taking place at Norwich Arts Centre (19 February, 7pm, £9.50).

Liar, Liar, ChatGPT on Fire is a free event aimed at 12 years+ in The Auditorium at The Forum. Does ChatGPT ever lie? Postgraduate Researcher Niklas Henderson will unravel how GPT works behind the scenes. There’s a lot to learn.

On a different AI thread, Chris Hoffman fuses AI and art to create works exploring how technology works within his process.

And with clients such as Microsoft and Apple, this will be a fascinating event.

ARTificial Intelligence takes place at the Production Theatre at Norwich University of the Arts, 19 Feb, 6pm and tickets cost £6.

Also, on 19 February (free, 4pm, The Auditorium at The Forum) enjoy a fascinating event – Digital Ghosts: AI and Our Altered Reality explores the ways artificial intelligence can be used to blur the lines between fake and reality. How AI can be used to make us believe things that never happened.

To the Moon and Back is a free show in The Gallery at The Forum between 17 February and 24 February (aged 5 years +) written and performed by Norfolk panto legend and Britain’s Got Talent star Ben Langley. This is a show all about the science behind a rocket trip to the moon.

Expect to laugh your socks off, as Tom and his AI friend, Squiffy, embark on a mission to the stars.

Another free event to enjoy is Under The Sea which is a self-guided trail at Chantry Place in Norwich uncovering ‘Britain’s Barrier Reef’ – the Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds. Taking place 10 – 24 February discover eight of the most amazing animals and plants that make this 100-million-year-old chalk reef home.

Fancy eating blue baked beans? At Would You Eat Blue Baked Beans? (free, 10.30am, 18 Feb, The Auditorium at The Forum) explore the science of taste and flavour in this interactive talk which may involve crisps, sweets and a lot of trust!

Great for ages 8 years +.

Finally, and this may answer the question I began with - the Festival has a ‘NEW for 2024’ series of lunchtime talks. On 23 February (tickets £6, 1pm, Production Theatre at Norwich University of the Arts) join Dr Anna Machin - who is an evolutionary anthropologist - for her talk The Science of Love. Anna will explore the factors that impact how we behave and how we feel when we are in love. And hopefully, we may just reach the answer to ‘What is love?’

For ideas of where to shop, eat, stay and visit in Norwich and Norfolk go to www.visitnorwich.co.uk.

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Our grand showrooms in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich offer a truly special shopping experience, with inspirational room sets and invaluable expert advice, including a professional Interior Design service. There’s free onsite parking for 200 cars and don’t forget to visit our well-loved restaurant, The Place to Eat, for a tasty treat.

Make Glasswells your first choice and immerse yourself into a world of home furnishings, with everything you need all under one roof.

Treat the home you love to a new look for less at Glasswells BIG Winter Sale!

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Books

Fully Booked

House of Flame & Shadow

by Sarah J Maas.

One of the most anticipated reads of 2024, Sarah J.Mass is back with the long awaited third instalment of Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow.

Stranded in a strange new world, Bryce Quinlan is out of luck. With no way home and no way of knowing who to trust she’s desperate to find her way back to Midgard where everything she loves is threatened. Stripped of his freedom and desperate to help Bryce, Hunt must find a way to break free of the Asteri’s leash or face a world brought to the brink of collapse with no hope of helping his mate. Sarah J.Maas is starting the year off right and luring us straight back into her dazzling world of fantasy.

Release Date: 30th January 2024

by

Gemma Mathers

2024

is here and with it a whole new season of books to be released! In this edition I’m highlighting five of the most anticipated new releases coming this year by some of the hottest authors right now! Ring in the New Year with the newest books coming to the market!

Funny Story The Fury

by Alex Michaelides Elliot Chase is going to tell you a story.

A tale of love and friendship. A tale of murder. Every year ex-movie star turned recluse, Lana Farrar, invites her closest friends and family to spend Easter on her idyllic Greek island – before the weekend is out tragedy will strike, someone will die, and Elliot Chase is going to tell you why.

If you’ve ever read The Silent Patient (which if you haven’t then sort yourself out), you’ll know that Alex Michaelides is a must-read author and The Fury is no exception. Guaranteed to manipulate and twist readers with shocking turns you’ll never see coming, Michaelides will have you captivated.

Release Date: 16th January 2024

by Emily Henry Another romance by Emily Henry? If you know, you know. Daphne and her fiancé have the perfect story. How they met, how they fell in love, how they moved back to his hometown to begin their life together. Until he realises, he’s in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Heartbroken and stranded in a town with no friends and no family, Daphne moves in with the one person who might understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles. Scruffy, chaotic Miles couldn’t be more different from strait-laced Daphne but when one night of drowning their sorrows forms a tenuous friendship the two devise a plan – to show everyone just how fine they are together. But it’s all just for show, because the last thing Daphne would do is fall in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex… right?

Release Date: 23rd April 2024

Medea

by Rosie Hewlett Ostracised by her family for her unique gifts, Medea longs for a different life.

When dashing young hero Jason, arrives to claim the Golden Fleece fiercely protected by Medea’s father, she sees an opportunity to escape. Determined to help Jason overcome the trials set by her father, Medea sets in motion a journey that will test every ounce of her being. A journey of courage and monsters and love. But when she is faced with the ultimate betrayal, Medea is driven to an act of desperation so brutal it threatens to rip apart the lives of everyone involved…

Another mythology retelling for the ages, you don’t want to miss Rosie Hewlett’s Medea.

Release Date: 21st March 2024

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Murder Road

by Simone St.James Newlyweds April and Eddie have taken a wrong turn on a long dark road, late at night. When they stop and pick up a troubled woman, they don’t see the blood until it’s too late. When the woman dies, April and Eddie find themselves at the centre of a decades old murder investigation. Surrounded by urban legends and superstition, April and Eddie will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth and clear their names while keeping their own pasts buried.

Simone St. James is quickly making a name for herself in the world of horror and Murder Road has us all in anticipation of her next move! This small town horror novel has all the makings of a perfect horror to have everyone on the edge of their seats.

Release Date: 5th March 2024

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by Charlie Smith-Knight

R

January,

am I right? December is bouncing off into the distance, like an over stimulated Tigger and the annual Eeyore of the year is here to remind us that it is grey, raining and there are less hours of daylight than we reasonably have patience for. However, January also brings the inherent promise of a new beginning and the opportunity to write something different for ourselves in a New Year. Love them, loathe them or feel completely indifferent about them; resolutions are traditional at this time of year, so let’s make them stick faster than Pooh’s hands to a pot of honey. (I promise this article is not sponsored, or even endorsed, by A.A.Milne).

Make it matter.

There’s no point in signing on to that gym membership, if you already know that the closest you’re going to get to the place, is the McDonalds on the same industrial estate. If you’re going to set yourself a goal, then it needs to be realistic and meaningful to you. You need some skin in the game. So, first off, what do you want?

When Christmas ’24 rolls round and John Lennon is asking what you have done with your year, what do you want to be able to say? A new career path, more family time, a healthier lifestyle? All of the above? Great but you’re going to have to be serious about it. Think Daniel Day-Lewis in every role he’s ever played.

Terrify people with your conviction. It’s time to go method, kids.

You’ll never know unless you try.

You’re going to have to put yourself out there. Unless you have managed to engineer your own gravitational pull or are in fact a millennial nepo baby, nothing is going to come to you. You may have to meet new people, go to new places and ultimately sacrifice those comfort zones because if you want something different, you have to do something different.

Albert Einstein said it is insane to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results. And he was a smart man all told so heed his warning. It might be uncomfortable but if you don’t step through the wardrobe, you’ll never get to Narnia.

Don’t be afraid to fail.

Sometimes we fall short, it’s a fact of life, and there is no shame in it. We’re individuals and we are not all here to do the same things. Case in point, there are two famous Chris Columbuses: one

directed Home Alone and the other assisted in colonising other nations. The success of each is a matter of opinion but both have experienced victory and disaster. One of the latter’s first colonies collapsed due to scurvy and the former also directed Pixels. Take the ying with the yang. Much like the micro fringe trend, bad days will come but bad days will, thankfully, also go.

Every day counts.

When it comes to long term goals, endurance is key. You won’t lose 15lbs overnight or improve your finances without putting the work in. As above, it won’t all be plain sailing but not giving up altogether is the difference between failing and succeeding in the long run.

Truth is, if you punctured one tire, you wouldn’t take a knife to the rest. When the proverbial chips are down, you need to hold onto that dream, like the iron fist of toddler grabbing the food off someone else’s plate and remind yourself what you want. Then you need to sleep on it and try again tomorrow.

2024 is a leap year so you’ve got more of those than usual; imagine what you could achieve in 366 tomorrows.

Handmade Hummingbird Necklace by Jana Reinhardt

Life&Living

ROBUST esolutions

WIN:

You can win a stunning handmade hummingbird necklace worth £89 by ethical jewellery brand Jana Reinhardt.

The dainty and pretty pendant is made from entirely recycled silver. Did you know hummingbirds are believed to symbolise joy coming into your life and strength of being? Making this piece a lovely wearable reminder to hang on in there because there’s always something good around the corner.

Founded in 2006, Jana Reinhardt jewellery is a husband-and-wife team of master goldsmiths who create sustainable jewellery collections with the very best craftsmanship and attention to detail. They always use recycled precious metals, all their packaging is entirely plastic-free, and they offset the carbon output from jewellery making by planting a tree with Ecologi for every sale.

Every piece is made by hand - using the old methods of wax carving and fabrication, which is kinder to the environment than machine manufacture and makes every piece is unique. The brand has also created several exclusive pieces intended to raise awareness and funds for various charities. www.janareinhardt.com

Be accountable.

I joined Slimming World last August. I put on 22lbs during chemo and wasn’t that just kick-you-in-the-crotch-spit-onyour-neck-fantastic. So, I decided to do something about it and SW forced me to be accountable. Somewhat through the fear of being publicly weighed and shamed each week (turns out they don’t do that to you anyway- literally no stocks or self-flagellation are involved) but realistically because they made me actualise it. They had me set a goal, they supported me, they helped me celebrate the wins along the way. Now I have lost those 22lbs and it’s given me more than just room in my clothes, it’s allowed me to regain some control. I’m not suggesting that every goal requires a registered organisation to sustain it but find your way: keep a journal, tell your partner, get a friend involved with you. Just be accountable because if it matters, you’ll mind.

Remember it doesn’t matter if it’s January, February or even September, you can start when you want... you do you hun, but just make sure you start.

This year make a statement bolder than one of Prue Leith’s necklaces. That’s all she wrote. Let’s go 2024!

How to enter?

To be in with a chance of winning a hummingbird necklace worth £89 by ethical jewellery brand Jana Reinhardt simply complete the form with your contact details at:

www.placesandfaces.co.uk/ competitions or enter by post sending your contact details to: HUMMINGBIRD NECKLACE Places&Faces Magazine, Micropress Printers Ltd, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Suffolk IP18 6DH. Competition closes 31 December 2023 Prize details: 1 x hummingbird necklace worth £89 by ethical jewellery brand Jana Reinhardt.

See page 3 for full terms & conditions, or visit www.placesandfaces.co.uk/competitions.

For The Carrock Table Lamp dimensions and information go to www.norfolkluxuryfurniture.com

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the

Food&Drink

Ask Expert www.jarrolds.co.uk

Diforti Sicilain Cannoli Pistachio Filled, £4.50

Kew pitted green conservolia olives with lemon & garlic, £6

Spicy Arrabbiata packed with tomatoes, garlic and olives, all considered aphrodisiacs. Then finish the evening with a delightful, sweet treat such as Sicilian cannoli to linger over until the small hours. Sometimes, the joy of Valentine’s is about taking the time to show them you care and what better way is there to do that than preparing food to enjoy together?

The Food of Love

Italian

cuisine has long been thought of as the food of love with many traditional ingredients being considered aphrodisiacs.

Part of their national identity, food is the centre of many Italian love stories with courtship happening over hours whiled away over a feast by candlelight.

Cooking and sharing a meal with your most treasured and loved ones is a luxury we can all enjoy. Set the table, light the candles and pop the wine in the fridge as you lay out a lush and decadent banquet of juicy Italian olives, sweet sundried tomatoes, salty succulent morsels of cured meats and cheese, paired with a fruity olive oil to dip.

Or fancy indulging in a plate of spaghetti lady-and-the-tramp style? Heat things up with

Cavalieri’s Spaghettoni artisan Italian spaghetti, £4.50

Tenuta authentic Italian spicy arrabbiata pasta sauce, £5.50

Choco-Lotta Love

Considered an aphrodisiac since the Aztecs, treat your loved one to creamy truffles, flavoured liqueurs or bitter dark chocolate this February 14th.

D.Barbero Boeri cherry liqueur pralines 200g, £9 Imagine this – sweet Maraschino alcohol-soaked cherries and crunchy pralines, covered in rich dark chocolate. Now that’s exactly what the Barbero family have produced through their combination of passion and expertise in these pralines.

House of Dorchester with Love 100g Selection, £10 Delight in this scrumptious assortment, a decadent gift that is given with love.

Including the perfect pairing of Strawberries and Cream, a little love with Crème Brûlée, indulgent oozing Sea Salt Caramel to ravishing Raspberry Cream and more.

Charbonnel et Walker bucks fizz truffles 115g, £17 Named after the London Buck’s Club where it was first served in 1921, Bucks Fizz has now become an iconic Charbonnel et Walker Truffle with a Marc de Champagne and oil of orange centre, lightly dusted in icing sugar.

When a little extra fizz is required, this delightful Bucks Fizz Truffle makes a lovely choice!

FOOD HALL

Instore and online now 158 P&F Jan Feb_1.6.indd 23

Bed of Roses If the bewitching Flint Vineyard Charmat Rose (12.5% 70cl, £25) wrote a personal ad…

A spirited individual with a passion for life and bubbly personality seeks partner to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. A hopeless romantic at heart is in search of a unique and vibrant love story with laughter, adventure, and the sweet scent of life.

This sparkling rose is the perfect choice for all your romantic assignations this Valentines’ Day. With a soft and round palate, this wine makes the ideal partner for sweet and savoury dishes alike as well as being an excellent choice as an aperitif.

Flint Vineyard has flourished since its beginning in 2015 with over 26,000 vines covering six hectares in Earsham, Norfolk.

Flint has acquired a solid reputation for producing some of the best premium English still wines and has also innovated with methods in the winery including the Charmat method such as this Charmat Rosé, which is most commonly used in Prosecco.

www.jarrolds.co.uk 12/01/2024 11:10

by Rebecca Bishop

I’m

Rebecca Bishop of The Next Loaf Baking School in Wenhaston, Suffolk. I teach fun, informative, hands-on baking classes that’ll leave you feeling inspired and eager to get back to your own kitchen to practise what you’ve learnt! I’m also the author of the baking book ‘Two Magpies Bakery’ and founder of Two Magpies Bakery. Each month my column will feature a delicious seasonal bake, book recommendations, insider tips for ingredients, equipment and much more.

I don’t think I’m alone in finding January a time for self-reflection and setting challenges for the year ahead.

As well as tackling new bakes and techniques my other resolution is to keep my vegetable patch under control and remember to plant my seeds at the correct time! Perhaps yours is learning a new skill such as making delicious wholesome bread to feed your family, learning to throw pizza dough like a pro or reviving your neglected sourdough starter? At The Next Loaf baking school you can tackle all these challenges with confidence and embark on a lifelong journey of baking and breadmaking.

What better way to start the New year!

To get the latest information sign up for my newsletter www.thenextloaf.co.uk or follow me on Instagram @thenextloaf

This month I’m mainly making…

RYE BREAD

Rye is a grass that produces grains, or seeds, that are milled to make flour. The flour usually comes in two types, light rye or dark rye. Light rye is partially sifted to remove some of the bran or outer husk of the grain whereas dark rye contains all the bran so is a ‘wholemeal’ flour. Historically the cold and wet climate of Eastern Europe was most suited to growing rye, hence why it forms the backbone of much of the Scandinavian and Eastern European bread culture.

Rye is now grown in Britain to be milled into flour by company’s such as Suffolk based Hodemedods due to the growing appreciation of rye’s sour and tangy flavour and satisfying texture. In February my Scandinavian bread baking class focuses on breads from this tradition – we’re talking dark , dense sourdough in various shapes and sizes full of spices, seeds and grains. My favourite way of eating this style of bread is very thinly sliced with a generous smear of butter, some sliced still warm boiled egg, a scattering of dill seeds and plenty of flaky sea salt.

To book a place on the Scandinavian bread baking class go to www.thenextloaf.co.uk/store/p/ scandinavian-bread-baking-part-1

Baking know-how: Flour part 4

When I first starting baking I mainly used strong wheat flour, primarily white, for my bread. My shaping skills and confidence to ‘read’ and understand the dough’s properties was weak and white wheat seemed like a good place to start. As I grew in confidence and starting leafing through different books and recipes I realised that ‘flour’(essentially a ground up seed,) could come from many other grass-type plants such as spelt, einkorn, rye and barley and the type of flour you use affects how the dough reacts to yeast, hold it’s shape and tastes.

When you start to introduce new flours into your bread making repertoire I suggest you do so in small proportions to begin – maybe 10 -20% of the non-wheat flour. The gluten in some non-wheat flours, eg rye, spelt etc, doesn’t develop the same extensible strong network in the dough so can take some getting used to as you adapt your kneading and proving strategies. Similarly the hydration (water content) might need to alter to avoid the dough becoming floppy and weak.

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Food&Drink

Ginger Marmalade Parkin

This

month I’ve been using up the sad glut of de-nuded, zested oranges in my fridge leftover from my festive bakes. ‘Juice them’, is the obvious answer, but another option was to replace some of the liquid in my favourite Ginger Parkin recipe with orange juice, add a few tablespoons of marmalade to the batter and layer thinly sliced oranges on the surface before baking (minus the remaining pithy skin). We all need a bit of sunshine in our lives in January, so here it is in cake form!

INGREDIENTS: SERVES 16 • 175g Plain flour • 175g Muscovado sugar • 1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda • 125g Porridge oats • 3 tsp Ground ginger • 1 tsp Ground cardamon • ½ tsp Ground nutmeg • ½ tsp flaky sea salt • 100g Unsalted butter • 80g milk • 80g Orange juice • 45g Black treacle • 45g Marmalade • 1 egg • 1 Orange (already zested is fine)

METHOD:

Preheat the oven to 150°c fan. Line a 20cm square tin lined with baking parchment.

Weight the flour, sugar, bicarbonate of soda, oats, spices and salt into a bowl.

Place the butter, treacle, milk, orange juice and marmalade in a small pan and heat until the butter is melted, don’t let it boil.

Meanwhile break the egg into a bowl and gently whisk to break it up. Slice the peel/ pith from an orange and slice thinly. Keep aside for decoration pre-baking.

Use a spatula to gently combine the warm butter mixture with the dry mixture then add the egg and combine fully. Pour the batter into the tin and arrange the orange slices on the surface.

Bake for 45-50 minutes until firm and dry in the centre with a rich deep brown. Colour Allow to cool fully before slicing. This cake keeps really well and gets even chewier and stickier after a couple of days in a tin.

BAKING CLASSES

The Next Loaf baking school is in Wenhaston, Suffolk.

Classes are small so there’s lots of personal attention. They’re suitable for beginners or bakers looking for more consistency and challenge so we’ll be mixing, shaping and baking our way through an exciting range of classes including Scandinavian baking, Easter baking, Sourdough, parent and child baking and sourdough pizza – to name a few! Classes (and gift vouchers) are now available to book on my website www.thenextloaf.co.uk

PRIVATE BAKING CLASSES

Planning a special get-together, hendo or just love to bake with friends and family? If you’re interested in a bespoke classes in your own home for a maximum of 6 people get in touch with rebecca@thenextloaf.co.uk

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c ra

ftk

itc

Valentine

he

Food&Drink

w w w.a r t s

n.

co .uk

Italian

Flatbread A feast

for 2024: As we begin a new year, our attentions are quickly drawn to a date of celebration - Valentine’s Alice Rebecca Talbot Day! The day is marked because owner of we remember the Roman Saint, ART’s – Craft Kitchen St. Valentine ( c. 269 AD). St. Valentine is thought to have secretly officiated at the Christian marriages of soldiers, which was against the law passed by Claudius who believed that Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome.

One traditional Roman feast was a spread of steak and potatoes accompanied by pickles.

In homage, my quick and easy Italian dish is reflective of the culture and cuisine of Italy. Perfect for a modern-day date night to share with the one/s you love.

INGREDIENTS: SERVES 2 For the toppings

METHOD:

• 226g ART’s Allotment chutney

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. You can create one large flatbread to share or two smaller individual portions. Sift the plain flour and salt into a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and pour in the water. Using a fork, gradually work the flour into the middle. As you start to incorporate more flour, the dough will form and you can then use your hands to finish off this process.

Once the dough has formed a ball, tip it onto a clean surface. Drizzle the 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the dough and knead it for about 5 minutes – a soft elastic dough is your aim. Add flour lightly as you go if it is too sticky. Pop the dough back in its bowl and cover with cling film to prove for 30 minutes.

Roll out the dough until it is about 1 cm thick and roughly an oval shape, carefully place on a large baking tray. Cover half the flatbread with one flavour of ART’s chutney and half with the other flavour. Add your desired toppings and drizzle with a little olive oil.

Place tray in the oven for 5-8 minutes. Keep checking regularly as it will not take long to cook. Remove when bread has risen slightly, air bubbles have formed and the dough has browned. Once cooked, sprinkle over parmesan cheese and fresh basil and serve immediately.

Accompany with a large bowl of fresh salad leaves and a glass of Merlot.

• 226g ART’s Southwold Sandfire chutney • 2 red onions, sliced • Green or Black olives • 200g mozzarella • 100g Parmesan cheese • A fresh basil and/or rocket For the flatbread • 200g plain flour • ¼ tsp salt • 100ml warm water • Olive oil

NOTE: You build the toppings of your flatbreads to suit you; add tomatoes, peppers, chilli, prosciutto, pulled pork… let your creative juices flow.

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“The best for smiles”

• Denture repairs (approx. 1 hour service) • Full dentures * Acrylic • Metal • Flexi • Technicians with 80+ years combined experience • Spacious waiting area • Registered with GDC

55 Lowestoft Road, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 6SH OPEN: Monday to Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Dental Laboratories Association

Registered Member

T: 01493 655440 E: pdsltd@live.co.uk

For out of hours service Call: 01493 488379 or 07789 582241

158 P&F Jan Feb_1.6.indd 28

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Food&Drink

on the

Living

Veg

Butternut & seed falafels INGREDIENTS:

250g roasted butternut squash 200g cooked chickpeas 100g Mega Omega Munchy Seeds Juice of a lemon ½ tsp salt 1 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp cumin seeds 5g small handful parsley 1 tbsp rapeseed oil

METHOD:

Cut a butternut squash into quarters, scoop out the seeds, brush with some rapeseed oil and roast for 180°C for 45 minutes, or until soft.

To make the falafel, measure out 250g of the roasted butternut squash, add to a food processor with the chickpeas, lemon juice, salt, paprika, cumin, parsley and olive oil and blend to combine.

Stir in the Mega Omega Munchy Seeds, then take a large tablespoon of the mixture and form into a falafel; bake in the oven at 180°C for 30-40 minutes until golden.

Peanut butter veggie stew INGREDIENTS: SERVES 2 • 400g sweet potato, peeled and cubed • 1 red onion, diced • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped • 1 courgette, cubed • 1 red pepper, cubed • 2 tins of chopped tomato • 1 tin of kidney beans • 100g of spinach • 2 tbsps of smooth peanut butter • 1 tsps of cumin seeds • 1 tsps of ground coriander • 1 tsps of paprika • 1 tsps of chipotle paste • Sea salt and black pepper, to season • Mild Chilli Munchy Seeds, to sprinkle Secret ingredient www.munchyseeds.co.uk

METHOD:

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Put the cubed sweet potato on a baking tray with a drizzle of rapeseed oil, season with sea salt and black pepper and roast for 30 minutes. Put a large saucepan on a medium heat with a tablespoon of rapeseed oil. Add the onion and garlic, reduce the heat to low, pop a lid on the pan and cook until the onion has softened, around 5 minutes. Take the lid off, turn the heat back up to medium, season with sea salt and black pepper and add the spices (cumin, coriander, paprika, chipotle paste). Stir for a minute to combine. Add the courgettes and pepper and cook for a further 5 minutes to soften the veg slightly.

Pour in the chopped tomato, season again with salt and pepper and cook on a low heat, without a lid, for 25 minutes.

This should soften the veg and reduce the sauce. At the end of the cooking time, stir in the peanut butter, kidney beans, roasted sweet potato and spinach and cook for a further 2 minutes. Check that it’s seasoned to your liking and add more sea salt and black pepper if required. Serve with a generous helping of crunchy Mild Chilli Munchy Seeds.

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MURDER MYSTERY DINNER

‘Fat Stan’s Big Bottoms Up’

Norfolk Mussel Night

SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2024

FRIDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2024

Put your sleuthing skills to the test and solve the mystery at the manor.

Join us for a celebration of our home county hero seafood.

Simply Call: 01485 536030 Please scan the QR code or visit: www.heacham-manor.co.uk HEACHAM MANOR HOTEL, HUNSTANTON ROAD, HEACHAM, NORFOLK PE31 7JX HM FEBRUARY EVENTS HALF PAGE PLACES AND FACES ARTWORK.indd 1

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10/01/2024 11:02

12/01/2024 11:10

Light B rown U Puffer Parka, £ ltimate Long 119, HO LLISTER

Deep Forest Montane Tundra Women's Recycled Down Puffer Jacket, £260, John Lewis

Wrap up warm this February with these downfilled wonders that will keep you snug all winter...

The North Face Women’s Saikuru Jacket, £215, House of Fraser

Faux Fur Short Hooded Puffer Jacket, £109.99, Superdry

Fashion

PUFFER Perfection

Dark Khaki Green Hooded Puffer Jacket, £42.99, H&M

Barbour International Smith Quilted Jacket, £189, House of Fraser

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Bespoke Bespoke quality quality at at a a competitive competitive price price Visit our website to find out more, and to look at our previous projects Visit our website to find out more, and to look at our previous projects

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01502 714512 | 48 Puddingmoor, Beccles NR34 9PL 01502 714512 | 48 Puddingmoor, Beccles NR34 9PL www.quayside-conservatories.co.uk www.quayside-conservatories.co.uk 158 P&F Jan Feb_1.6.indd 32

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Fashion

Heartfelt Hues Forever Ne Sleeve F w Rosalyn Long rill Dress , £120, N EXT

Dive into a palette of romantic reds and passionate pinks that scream Valentine's Day chic.

01502 714512 www.q Phase Eight Pink Lina Printed Long Sleeve Midi Dress, £169, NEXT

Whistles Dobby Velvet Celia Midi Dress, £199, John Lewis VALENTINO Ada Handbag, £129, Sole Trader

SIMMI Silver Beryl Slingback High Heels, £36, SCHUH

Carl Scarpa Monet Slingback Stiletto Courts, £149, Jarrolds

Kate Spade New York Leather Heart Crossbody Bag in Perfect Cherry, £450, John Lewis 33

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ESTATE FENCING ● GATES ● LAWN EDGING WOVEN METAL SCREENS & FENCING DIY KITS

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www.norfolkestatefencing.co.uk 158 P&F Jan Feb_1.6.indd 34

Find us on Instgram

12/01/2024 11:11

Life&Living

Fuelling Ambition HOW PREGNANCY EMPOWERED AND ENERGISED MY NEW YEAR GOALS

by Polly Vincent

Hello

wonderful readers of Places and Faces! As we step into the new year, I am thrilled to share my journey with you, a story of newfound ambition and drive that emerged from the beautiful experience of pregnancy.

My hope is that my journey will inspire not only new mothers in business but also those from all walks of life who are looking to infuse fresh vitality into their ambitions in 2024.

The year 2023 was a remarkable one for me. It was filled with the joy of motherhood, the welcoming of my partner Sam into our home, earning a prestigious Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Excellence Award, watching my business reach new heights, and witnessing my incredible team come into their own. Amid all this success, the unexpected catalyst for even greater ambition was my pregnancy.

Pregnancy, often a time of slowing down and reflection, had the opposite effect on me. It became the driving force behind my newfound ambition and dedication.

I wasn’t content with just maintaining the status quo. Instead, I was inspired to work harder than ever, motivated by the knowledge that my growing family was depending on my success.

While experiencing the changes that pregnancy brought to my body and life, I found myself more empowered, confident, and focused than ever before. It was a transformation I couldn’t have predicted. Pregnancy,

which can be perceived as relinquishing control, was, for me, an opportunity to take charge in new and unexpected ways. It ignited a fire within me, and I discovered a depth of determination and drive that I had never known before.

The experiences of motherhood have not only enhanced my life but also inspired me to take a fresh perspective on my business. I came to understand the delicate art of balancing personal life and career and developed a newfound respect for working mothers.

This journey has brought to light the incredible inspiration that parenthood can infuse into the world of business.

In the midst of this life-altering phase, my drive for growth intensified.

Inspired by the profound experience of pregnancy, I sought to expand my horizons as a business owner. To navigate new risks and challenges, I partnered with a PR consultant. This collaboration was pivotal, propelling significant business growth and exposure throughout 2023.

Understanding the immense value of mentorship, this journey has inspired me to offer my own expertise within business and offer business consultancy.

I’ve come to realise the

importance of mentorship and its role in driving growth and success.

In 2024, my vision for the future is clearer than ever. We’re not only continuing to offer additional training programs in permanent makeup at our clinic but also launching a female business consultancy. As the founder of Enhance Cosmetics Clinic, I’m thrilled to announce that I will be stepping into the role of a business consultant and mentor, ready to assist others in achieving their dreams and taking their enterprises to new heights.

As for the exciting plans in the pipeline, I’m keeping them close to my chest for now, but rest assured that there’s much more to come. Whether you’re in the beauty industry or any other sector, my message is clear: inspiration can be found in unexpected places, and the drive to succeed can be ignited by the most profound experiences. I’m here to help you achieve your business goals and dreams, whether you’re a new mum, an entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to infuse new vitality into your ambitions.

Here’s to a year filled with prosperity, inspiration, and boundless ambition!

ENHANCE COSMETIC CLINIC

4 Ashhurst Place, Pakefield, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 7AE

Instagram: @enhance_cosmetic_clinic www.pollyvincent.co.uk

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Explore the creative you!

13-24 April 2024 norwichsciencefestival.co.uk

norfolkmakersfestival.co.uk

E E R

F

Your local experts in Cruise and Escorted Touring holidays

Beach and Tailor Made Holidays Flights – Cities and Ski Holidays

01692 406655 | www.broadland.co.uk 41 Market Place, North Walsham NR28 9BT

158 P&F Jan Feb_1.6.indd 36

ABTA No. 91207

12/01/2024 11:11

Life&Living

inspiring women

Caroline Day Why would anyone consider Permanent Make Up (PMU)?

Jean Kiekopf explores the world of PMU and talks about her experience.

In

September 2023 I ventured out on a three week camping holiday in Zambia, Africa with four friends - all women, all in our 60s and 70s. We were self driving and out for fun-in-nature and an adventure together. One of my friends, an Aussie aged 77 who is always an inspiration in her energy and enthusiasm for every nuance of the day, had prepared for the off-road adventure by getting her eyeliner tattooed on her upper eye lids! At first this amazed and amused me, as in my naivety I didn’t even know this sort of treatment existed!

Where had I been?

Everyday, as we crawled out of the tent, hiked through 40°C in the bush, or splashed in waterfalls and streams in the African wilds off the beaten track, she looked extra amazing: her eyes a little more open and sparkling. None of us put any make up on during the trip and as I was taking lots of photos for our Instagram account, @Ikigai_sisters, it was very noticeable that she looked that bit more awake and ‘well kept’.

I have been wearing glasses for a few years now and to put on my upper eyelid liner was becoming more and more

How did you get into this area of beauty and post trauma reconstructive care?

When I was a level 3 beauty therapist student, we had a lady come to our salon carrying out micropigmentation

I use micro needling, which flatten and softens the scar tissue and prepares the scar for camouflage tattooing which helps blend the scar or skin graft into your natural skin tone. difficult, awkward and challenging. So on returning to England I decided to check out local artists to tattoo this little bit of magic on me. That is when I met the inspirational Caroline Day who is helping men and women with her treatment…

eyebrows, and I was intrigued and wanted to know more. She could carry out permanent make up for eyebrows, eyeliner and lip colour, but also spoke about how there is the medical side of it too. The downside is that the basic

training of permanent make up costs about 10k to learn and even more for the advanced techniques!

That’s when I thought, once I’m a mature therapist, I will learn this… and eventually I progressed to do the advanced training including the medical micro pigmentation.

What is the medical micro pigmentation for?

I treat women and men who have had breast reduction / lift and men who have had male breast reduction (liposuction) and have lost their areola due to infection and necrosis after having their areola sewn back on. I also help women and men with all types of surgery scars: anchor scars, skin graft and face lift scars, trauma scars and burns. I use micro needling, which flatten and softens the scar tissue and prepares the scar for camouflage tattooing which helps blend the scar or skin graft into your natural skin tone. continued on page 38 ➤

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Life&Living ➤ continued from page 37

I had a contract at an NHS hospital carrying out restorative 3D areola and nipple tattooing and it was a honour carrying out these treatments and meeting these very brave and lovely ladies! Women have also come to me privately as they have been told that there is a 2 to 3 year wait at an NHS hospital after having a mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Clients who have private health insurance come to me, including a very courageous young woman age 22

I love making that person, who is either finalising their breast cancer journey or breast reduction, feel complete again.

This procedure gives them their body confidence back.

years old who chose to have a double mastectomy as she has the BRACA gene. She now has new areolas and is very happy with them.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work?

I love making that person, who is either finalising their breast cancer journey or breast reduction, feel complete again.

This procedure gives them their body confidence back. After chemotherapy, I can create natural eyebrows and eyeliner where the hair has not grown back. Seeing their smiling faces after the procedure is the best.

How long has PMU been available?

Have there been developments that have made this more accessible and popular recently?

Permanent make up has been around since 5000BC when Egyptian women were using green from copper ore and Lapis Lazuli for eyeshadows. In 1902, the first modern application of permanent cosmetics was performed

by Sutherland MacDonald at his tattoo studio in London. He tattooed the delicate blink blush to ladies’ cheeks and was followed by George Burchett in the 1930’s as a major developer of these techniques.

Like Botox, fillers and plastic surgery, it was film stars who first had access to permanent make up but now it is available to everyone.

In modern times, it has progressed to scalp pigmentation ( SMP ) where hair follicles are created on a thinning hair and or baldness ,3D restorative areola and nipple tattooing, scar camouflage and webbed toes Syndactyly toe separator tattoo and also finger nail replacement.

What have been the greatest challenges as a woman setting up her own business?

Permanent make up is very hard to learn with regards to managing client’s skin, morphology and realistic expectations.

I have to accommodate the client’s medication, medical conditions and lifestyle. The client must be prepared to follow the pre treatment and aftercare advice given to them. I take my profession of permanent make up seriously, it should not be put in the same bracket as a beauty treatment that a beautician has carried out - like

having your nails done. There is so much to learn with regards to anatomy and physiology, infection control, health and safety, and following local council legislations. I use high end, safe pigments and devices and all my pigments are REACH compliant.

Another challenge is meeting new clients who have had previous micro bladed eyebrows or PMU and even areola micro pigmentation that need correctional work as they have healed into an undesirable colour or shape.

Sometimes the client may have to have laser or saline removal to lighten the area first, you simply cannot ‘paint over the area’, skin is like a sponge, it’s not like painting over a wall!

Who is your target client market?

Permanent make up is aimed for people who have busy lives as saves time in the mornings applying make up, who have poor eyesight, or hair loss through thyroxine medication and post chemotherapy. It is suitable for all ages although there are some medical conditions that are contra indicated like pregnancy, auto immune diseases, blood thinning medication, diabetes.

Sometimes a GP consent letter is required. The scar and medical micro pigmentation treatments help with body confidence and makes that person feel themselves again as they may believe they’ve lost some femininity or masculinity.

Caroline carries out her treatments from her home clinic in Wymondham, Norfolk which is fully licensed with the local authorities. She is planning to open a training academy and will be seeking areola and scar models.

07984 108 764 carolinedaypmu@gmail.com

www.carolinedaypmu.uk

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0124

Premier Travel is a privately owned, independent travel agency with over 86 years’ experience in the travel industry and 27 branches throughout East Anglia and Southern England.

Why book with us

Holidays are an investment, and you deserve a flawless experience! Whether it’s a trip around the world or a short break to Europe, our team of travel experts are here to take the hard work off your hands.

We can assist you with Tailor-made travel•Flights & hotels•Cruises•Beach holidays•Ski holidays Escorted tours•Self-drive tours•City breaks•Rail journeys•Coach holidays Weddings & honeymoons•Travel money•And much more

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Ts and Cs apply. Booking code is only to be used in a single transaction. Amount is deducted from your holiday balance when you book a holiday with a minimum spend through Premier Travel. £100 per booking when you spend £1000 or more, save £250 per booking when you spend £2,500 or more. Subject to availability. Please ask for details.

0124_3466_PT Ad.indd 1 158 P&F Jan Feb_1.6.indd 39

05/01/2024 17:33 12/01/2024 11:11

Your local Independent Travel Agents established in 2009 with over 170 years of combined experience!

Vietnam & Cambodia Escorted Tour 7th January 2025

7 Nights Norwegian Fjords Cruise 20th - 27th July 2024

• Take a leisurely cruise in UNESCO-listed Halong Bay aboard a converted Chinese junk.

• Southampton, England • Bruges,(Zeebrugge),Belgium

• Be inspired by the hauntingly beautiful and inspirational countryside with shimmering rice fields.

• At sea • Flam, Norway

• Stay in Hue, Vietnam’s last royal capital, and visit its awe-inspiring Citadel and Forbidden City.

• Geiranger, Norway • Bergen, Norway

• Stay in the heart of exciting Saigon, visiting the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels, the former Vietcong underground stronghold and a poignant reminder of the US-Vietnam conflict.

• At Sea • Southampton, England

• Enjoy a full-day trip on the mighty Mekong delta, the world’s 10th-largest river system.

AQUACLASS ON EDGE SERIES:

Edge AquaClass guests enjoy a state-of-the-art infinite veranda, king-size cashmere mattress bedding, soothing stateroom touches and complimentary fitness classes. Plus, unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite, complimentary dining at Blu restaurant, and a personal spa concierge.

• Stay and tour in Phnom Penh, Pearl of Asia, considered the most beautiful of Indochina’s French colonial cities.

• Stay in Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor city ruins.

• Visit the Angkor ruins, a UNESCO-listed temple complex and one of the world’s greatest ancient sites.

INCLUDES:

• $200 on board credit per stateroom • WIFI • Pre-paid Tips • Drinks Package

INCLUDES:

• 13 nights in four to five-star accommodation

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£2,299

• Return flights & transfers per person

£150 DEPOSIT PP

Price is based on 2 adults travelling & sharing a stateroom. Availability is subject to change and price is correct at time of publishing. Please Note: Health and safety protocols, guest conduct rules, and regional travel restrictions vary by ship and destination, and are subject to change without notice. Due to evolving health protocols, imagery and messaging may not accurately reflect onboard and destination experiences, offerings, features, or itineraries. These may not be available during your voyage, may vary by ship and destination, and may be subject to change without notice.

158 P&F Jan Feb_1.6.indd 40

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Stay in Hanoi, Vietnam’s beautiful capital and enjoy a tour by cycle rickshaw, seeing the Temple of Literature, colonial belle-époque villas and Ho Chi Minh’s thought-provoking mausoleum.

ITINERARY:

• AquaClass Guarantee Stateroom

Visit the major sights of Vietnam and Cambodia, the very essence of Indochina, experiencing their captivating blend of French colonial history, unique local culture and beautiful rural scenery.

• Programme of daily tours & visits • 18 meals (13 breakfasts & 5 lunches) • Expert Tour Manager • Checked luggage

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• Return flights from London Heathrow Price is based on 2 adults travelling & sharing a room. Airport taxes included. All accommodation & flights are subject to availability and change. Price correct at time of publishing. All flight inclusive holidays are ATOL protected. Alternative dates available

12/01/2024 11:11

House&Home

1

2

3

1. Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 wake up to daylight table lamp £106.24 2. John Lewis Soft & silky specialist temperature balancing 400 thread count cotton bedding, latte from £19.20

4

3. John Lewis specialist synthetic weighted blanket, 11.5kg £110 4. John Lewis Organic Mulberry silk eye mask, white £18 5. Estée Lauder advanced night repair serum synchronized multirecovery complex, 50ml £89

5

6. Neom Organics London perfect night’s sleep bath foam, 200ml £23 7. Neom Wellbeing for day and night, gift set exclusive to John Lewis £32 8. Neom Organics London perfect sleep essential oil, 30ml £44 9. Beurer LA 40 aroma electric diffuser LED table lamp, white/ wood £48.44 10. Amazon Kindle (11th generation) eReader, 6” high resolution illuminated touch screen, 16GB, with special offers, denim blue £84.99

6 7

Drift

by into Lucy Heavens and Danielle Day the new year with a perfects night’s sleep. 2024 is about making sure that we look after ourselves and wellbeing; ensuring you are the best version of you. We have some zen beauty products to ease you into the early mornings and comfort you into the cosy nights.

Your bedroom should be the place where you have peace and a calming atmosphere, so why not look into our temperature controlled bedding in a range of elegant colours or our reassuring weighted blankets to tuck you in at night; which are designed to aid relaxation.

So why not treat yourself to a good night’s sleep to start off your 2024 with a positive mindset. Book yourself in for a free home design appointment online or instore. Whether you are looking for a room refresh or a whole house, we are available to help.

8 10

9

All items are available on

www.johnlewis.com and instore, visit John Lewis, Norwich All prices are correct at time of print.

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Family run business for 30 years

BEAUTIFUL FLOORING, BEAUTIFULLY FITTED Carpets •Vinyls Karndean Flooring Carpet Tiles •Remnants •New modern showroom •Much more on display •Large FREE car park •Good selection of roll stock

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Trinity Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR31 1XJ 01502 516679 • 07831 275348 sales@guyscarpets.co.uk • www.guyscarpets.co.uk

Dog

Called

NO Unlock the Adventure

Andrew Hirst

158 P&F Jan Feb_1.6.indd 42

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House&Home

CLEARING the clutter!

Create a life you love in 2024 by clearing out the clutter!

Professional organiser Kim Steer, founder of Style Your Home Happy, offers us some advice on how we can start the year with a fresh perspective and renewed energy by clearing space in our homes.

Instagram: styleyourhomehappy_ www.styleyourhomehappy.co.uk

Style

Your Home Happy is a decluttering, organising and staging service, supporting client’s wellbeing through personalised sessions in homes and businesses, and through online coaching. Transforming spaces to clear physical and mental clutter, ultimately paving the way for their clients to live a life they truly love. ”Decluttering is more than tidying up; it’s a transformative journey to improve wellbeing and create a home aligned with a healthy lifestyle.” Kim Steer says.

“Our homes should be our sanctuary, the place we can retreat to and replenish, especially at this time of year after the hustle and bustle of the festive season. Decluttering not only creates physical space, it also fosters mental wellbeing. Now’s the time to create a serene home environment to face the year ahead.”

Accumulating possessions can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. From piles of junk mail, unwanted Christmas gifts, or clothes we hope to fit back into one day. We all have items in our homes,

you bring into your home, you lead a more intentional and fulfilling lifestyle.

Involve your household, donate or sell items responsibly, and have a mindful approach to consumption. If you need support to get started, hiring a professional to help makes the process a lot easier.

As you embark on this decluttering journey, bear in mind that it transcends physical space. It’s about cultivating mental and emotional space, paving the way for a happier, more purposeful life and a renewed sense of joy!

Decluttering tips

which no longer serve us. As time goes on this clutter expands and creates overwhelming atmosphere that can lead to feelings of embarrassment and shame.

Decluttering not only enhances wellbeing, but also supports local charities, can yield extra cash and, most importantly, creates space and systems conducive to a healthy lifestyle. A golden rule for decluttering is to retain only items we need, love, or that bring value to our lives. Consider the last time you used an item and its likelihood of future use. Keep daily essentials easily accessible. Surround yourself with delights such as cherished artworks and photos, plants, and other uplifting items.

Consider incorporating elements like crystals, aromatherapy, and colour to amplify the positive impact.

Decluttering can be a way of life, by maintaining an awareness of what

DEFINE YOUR WHY: Understand your motivation for decluttering, whether it’s creating a more relaxed atmosphere, preparing for a new addition to the family, or gearing up for a move. Knowing your purpose will drive your decluttering journey.

SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS: Establish realistic goals based on the time you can commit. Reward yourself with self-care treats as you achieve each milestone, making the process more sustainable and enjoyable.

START SMALL: Begin with a manageable area, like a drawer or cupboard, and gradually expand. Breaking down the decluttering process into smaller tasks makes it more achievable and less overwhelming.

ORGANISE EVERYTHING: Designate specific spaces for your belongings based on their importance and frequency of use. The goal is to create a system where everything has a home, promoting accessibility and order.

BE DECISIVE: When evaluating items, be ruthless in your decision-making and prioritise functionality and joy over sentimentality.

continued on page 42 ➤

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naughty donkey Vibrant, colourful and stylish soft furnishings

naughty donkey is a new range of furniture, cushions & mugs that are exclusively available from Williams Interiors. Choose from 360 colours with each piece made at our West Runton premises. Chairs from £1,400, Cushions £65 & mugs £14.

D Fr el e iv e er y*

www.williams-interiors.co.uk

Our family, serving your family since 1820 *Free local delivery within 25 miles with orders over £350

Norman & Son, 13/14 Market Place, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1LY

Tel 01493 842971

www.normansdirect.co.uk • normans1820@hotmail.co.uk

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House&Home

Interior designer Laura Ruddy, owner of the stylish Norfolk Luxury Furniture, gives us advice to keep our homes on trend this year.

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X U RY I N T E R

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Interior Trends LK

LU

Norfolk Luxury Furniture is an online company that specialises in supplying on-trend, desirable items of furniture and furnishings. The owner, Laura Ruddy, set up the business after spending many hours searching the internet for quality, luxurious items at competitive prices.

NO

RF

O

@norfolkluxuryfurniture www.norfolkluxuryfurniture.com

Interior Design Trends for 2024 Here are some interior design trends you’ll see everywhere in 2024.

Sculptural Art Wall-mounted sculptures are becoming more popular and desirable adding depth and dimension to your living space.

Textured walls High-gloss walls are out, texture is in. Textured walls create a unique finish to any room and will also make a room look more interesting.

Boucle fabric

Seating with storage Window seats are a really useful space-saving trick in smaller rooms or under a bay window, where you can incorporate extra seating with concealed storage.

Interior Colours for 2024

Interior Design

Colour trends for 2024 are all about being bold and confident with newer palettes. Experts are predicting an elevated, fresh look for interiors with bright pinks, playful blues, and rich jewel tones leading the charge.

We are excited to announce we will be offering interior design services throughout Norfolk.

Katie and I will create bespoke designs incorporating fixtures, fittings and furniture to suit your lifestyle, taste and requirements. From traditional to contemporary buildings, family homes and commercial properties. Please do get in touch at enquiries@norfolkluxuryfurniture.com or reach out via our Instagram - katies_country_life or norfolkluxuryinteriors to book and find out more details for your next interior design project.

Boucle is here to stay… but with fresh updates including different colours and thicker pile. Boucle brings style and comfort and is simply beautiful to style.

Laura Loves

WOLTERTON PARK

The stunning 18th-century estate in North Norfolk has recently been restored to its former glory. You can book to stay at Wolterton Park too or hire the entire Palladian House for a very special occasion. www.woltertonpark.co.uk

New Year, New Style Banish the January Blues with a revamp of your living space and have a look at our NEW IN products from our online shop www.norfolkluxuryfurniture.com. Keeping up with the latest Interior trends, and timeless pieces that will never go out of style.

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2.

3.

4.

5.

1. Artur Bench, 2. Lina Armchair, 3. Belvedere Nesting Coffee Tables, 4. Large Faux Orchid, 5. Nasir Wall Light 45

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URN29_Norfolk_1.2019_Vanderbirghider_HP.ai 1 15/02/2019 12:03:44

URN29_Norfolk_1.2019_Vanderbirghider_HP.ai 1 15/02/2019 12:03:44

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All landscaping tasks undertaken Specialising water features and ponds Allin landscaping tasks undertaken Specialising in waterborder features and driveways Perfectly based on the Suffolk/Norfolk but covering all of the UK

Perfectly based on the Suffolk/Norfolk border but covering all of the UK

All landscaping tasks undertaken Specialising in water features and driveways Perfectly based on the Suffolk/Norfolk border but covering all of the UK

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House&Home

Gardening with

Tom Strowlger

Tom Strowlger @garden_with_tom

and muddy at this time of year so we can turn soil and pick weeds with relative ease meaning our gardens will move into springtime with less well rooted weeds taking hold. Whilst tidying weeds up, we can deadhead winter cyclamen and pansies to keep them looking fresh and tidy before they end their season.

We can turn any winter blues green by getting into gardens and outdoor spaces.

The days are very gradually lengthening, wildlife is slowly becoming more active and the garden is starting to come back to life, with a wide range of spring bulbs sprouting in our beds, borders, pots and containers. Snowdrops and crocuses are already flowering whilst daffodils, hyacinth, muscari, alliums and tulips await prolonged milder spells of forthcoming springtime.

It is an excellent time to create a new border in the garden or build a raised bed to provide extra space to plant, grow and enjoy even more plants and flowers.

January

and February are the final months of meteorological winter and our gardens are usually in a state of frosty and frozen dormancy.

However, that should not stop us gardeners from getting into the garden, we can achieve a lot in these early months in readiness for the rest of our gardening calendar.

The weather is usually very cold, with hard frosts and snowy conditions. It is important that we check staked in plants and shrubs and tie in any loose climbers to the wall, fence, trellis or archway frame.

We should softly brush off any snow on shrubs and plants as it can damage the branches, leaves and scorch new buds.

Wisteria, rose bushes, apple and pear trees to name but a few can be carefully pruned whilst they sit dormant. The art of pruning is to stand back from the plant to assess whether you want to soft or hard prune, to consider the shape you wish to achieve. It is best to take your time when pruning as a branch can only be cut once.

The soil in our gardens will be very moist

improve the soak away process.

We can see signs of our gardens coming back to life by late February and with it our optimism of a successful growing season. It won’t be long before we can spend much more time in the garden, pottering about and enjoying the fresh air. We can tackle the last of the winter jobs knowing that in the coming months the garden will be blooming with bright colours.

January TOP TIPS

A border can be dug out directly into the ground and a raised bed built by placing railway sleepers into an interlocking shape of your choice and filling it with a bottom layer of soil and top layer of general purpose compost.

The pots, containers, tubs and planters in the garden will have taken a battering over winter season so we need to get them ready for springtime by giving them a clean, checking the drainage holes and adding pieces of a broken terracotta pot into the base to

• Fully cut back perennials ready for the new growing season • Top up mulch on your beds and borders • Clean your lawnmower ready for the first cut • Keep feeding the birds • Stay off a frosty lawn, footsteps can snap and kill the frozen grass m nal tagra n Ins re seaso o e o m or m low o fol h_tom f tips. d e t s Plea den_wi vice and r @ga ening ad gard

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Enjoy the small moments, mega-dino-hamster stories only happen once Visit our expert team for professional advice on how we can improve your hearing Book your free hearing health assessment today by calling us on 01473 876 985 We have clinics throughout Suffolk & Norfolk hearingcarecentre.co.uk

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Life&Living

a l e g An ask

Angela Gifford, Managing Director of Able Community Care, answers your questions...

A

ble Community Care has been in the same family for four decades and now provides live-in care services throughout the UK. Since 1980 we have provided care and have met with thousands of families who are seeking an alternative to moving into a residential care home.

Meeting people inevitably leads, either at the time of an assessment or even years later, to questions for which people are looking for answers.

Information around all aspects of care is available but the road to finding out, especially at a time of crisis, about specific factors can be difficult and stressful. Able Community Care receives calls and emails on a regular basis with people asking if we can help with their search for information.

Recently these questions have been asked of us...

Question: I have a disability and I have been told that many supermarkets have a time slot each week called a Quiet Time, which is to make shopping easier for people like myself?

Answer: Yes, some supermarkets have introduced a scheme known as Quiet Time.

The idea is to provide a sensory, friendly shopping time for customers who have disabilities, such as autism.

The following supermarkets advise of the following Quiet Time shopping hours but check with your local

supermarket to ensure up to date information.

• Asda has announced it’ll run a ‘quieter hour’ in all of its stores between 2pm and 3pm on Mondays and Thursdays.

• Aldi, every Tuesday from 6pm to 8.30pm.

• Morrisons ‘ takes place every Saturday in all stores from 9 am to 10am.

• Tesco 9am to 10am every Wednesday and Saturday.

Question: What is a Companion Pass for using public transport such as buses? I am a wheelchair user and have difficulty travelling on public transport without help.

Answer: A Companion Pass can be obtained from your local council if you require assistance when travelling. The Pass will mean that your Companion is there to assist you on your journey and will travel free.

There are other names for the Pass such as a Disabled Travel Pass and there are eligibility criteria that you must have.

For example, you must be unable to walk

to a bus stop, to get on or off the bus without assistance.

Local councils may have differing times in the day when travel can be accessed with a Pass, so check for eligibility in your area.

Question: What is Deprivation of Assets with reference to paying for a place in a care home?

Answer: Deprivation of assets is when an individual has deliberately tried to get rid of assets to avoid charges or reduce the amount that has to be paid for care support. For example, giving a gift of funds to someone else, signing over a property to relatives.

Question: Can a Power of Attorney claim expenses?

Answer: Yes, as an attorney, you are fully entitled to reclaim any expenses that you may incur in the performance of your duties. Expenses such as: travel costs, stationery, postage and phone calls are acceptable.

ABLE COMMUNITY CARE LTD T: 01603 764567 E: info@ablecommunitycare.com

www.ablecommunitycare.com

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Fitness

January Gymtimidation 1

Gyms

can be pretty intimidating places. Often the images we are presented with in the media are of loud, testosterone filled spaces inhabited by huge, muscular, picture perfect individuals. Not that appealing if you don’t feel like you fit into those categories.

But here’s the thing; 99% of the people you’ll actually see in the gym don’t fit into those categories either.

As usual the media have painted us a pretty (but unrealistic picture). Like many things in life, the perception and reality just don’t match up. We think those people are all super fit, knowledgeable, seasoned gym goers, but let me tell you a little secret... they’re not.

Having been a gym goer since way back when, and a professional people watcher my whole life, I can tell you that a good proportion of the people you see in the gym are probably just as intimidated as you. They don’t always know what they’re doing, or how to do it, and may well be following something they have seen online, or something they have seen someone else do...

And you know what? Good on them for getting in there and getting it done.

The start of a New Year tends to spur people into action, so if you are wanting to get started but are suffering from Gymtimidation, these tips could help!

Ask for a tour of the gym before you start. Part of people’s reluctance to go new places can just be the fear of the unknown.Have a look round, ask questions and then maybe book yourself an induction.

During your induction session you will usually be shown where things are and how the equipment works which can really help to reduce anxiety.

2

Ask the staff. Most gyms will have a member of staff on the gym floor at all times, so if you haven’t a clue where to start with what exercises to do, ask! The gym staff are there for a reason!

3

Go with a plan. Decide before you get there what exercises you are going to do, and have a plan b just in case the equipment you were planning to use is already taken. If you’re already feeling anxious, wandering around looking lost will likely only add to that!

4

Book some personal training sessions. A trainer will be able to help you identify the most appropriate exercises to suit your goals, abilities and fitness level. Most gyms will have personal trainers on site that you can book one to one sessions with. Alternatively if you feel confident enough to do the exercises alone, but are just unsure of exactly what you should be doing to achieve your goals, there are many online PTs who provide individual guidance and tailored exercise plans for you to follow.

Chantel Heath INSTAGRAM @ChantelHeathFitness www.chantelfitness.co.uk

I'm a 43 year old mother of two and Personal Fitness coach. I work one to one, in person & online with clients aged 18-80. My specialisms include pre and postnatal training, cancer rehab, pilates, and GP exercise referrals. I run fitness classes online and in person in the Suffolk Coastal area. I am also a Mental Health First aider.

5

Go with a mate. Having someone else on board is a win-win, boosting both your motivation to go to the gym, and your confidence once you’re there!

6

If you feel nervous and a bit self conscious... for your first few sessions try to go when the gym is quieter. Ask staff when the busiest times are.

7 8

For me, music is essential. Make a playlist of tunes that make you want to move!

Remember why you’re there.

Everyone in the gym will have different goals and different reasons for working out. Focus on your goals and what you want to achieve.

Don’t worry about what the person next to you is doing, their goals may be very different to yours.

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Learn to Swim at...

LESSONS AVAILABLE FROM 3 MONTHS+ TO ADULTS CONTACT US TO ENROL

01493 289119

www.marinacentre.co.uk

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First rule of engagement...

Find your Diamond at

3-4 Northgate Street, Great Yarmouth Tel: 01493 842719

coxandson.co.uk

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