Places & Faces 161 - May 2024

The Spring Collective

Short

NEW IN

KING LOUIE

SOYA CONCEPT

KING LOUIE SOYA CONCEPT

ALLSAINTS

ALLSAINTS

FRENCH CONNECTION

FRENCH CONNECTION

SELECTED FEMME PIECES

YAS

YAS

VERO MODA ONLY

VILA

ICHI

SELECTED FEMME PIECES

VERO MODA ONLY

OBJECT

OBJECT

VILA

ICHI

WEEKEND MAXMARA OUI

WEEKEND MAXMARA OUI

INDI & COLD FRNCH

INDI & COLD FRNCH

FREE PEOPLE

VILAGALLO

FREE PEOPLE

VILAGALLO

INWEAR

INWEAR

TRAFFIC PEOPLE

TRAFFIC PEOPLE

NEVER FULLY DRESSED

BONTÉ

NEVER FULLY DRESSED BONTÉ

PART TWO

PART TWO

GREAT PLAINS

GREAT PLAINS

FASHION

intrepid explorers of Norfolk and Suff olk. Spring has sprung, and with it, a fresh issue of your favourite magazine brimming with local delights. Flip through the pages and discover a vibrant mix of "What's On" events, from foot-stomping folk festivals to electrifying pop concerts (see page 7). Feeling the call of adventure? We've got getaways galore, including a charming staycation adventure (page 19) and a peek at the treasures of Norwich (page 14).

Craving culinary inspiration? Dive into mouthwatering recipes featuring seasonal stars like Norfolk asparagus and Cromer crab (page 23) or a slow-cooker masterpiece perfect for those busy spring days (page 29). And for those seeking inspiration beyond the kitchen, we celebrate the achievements of the "Spring Collective" - a group of incredible local women making a difference (page 34). So grab a cuppa, settle in, and let this issue be your guide to all things Norfolk & Suff olk this May!

Andrew Hirst EDITOR

CONTRIBUTORS: Andrew Hirst, Jade F Soanes, Mel Cook, Polly Coleman, Tom Strowlger, Francesca Armour-Chelu, Charlie Smith-Knight, Rebecca Bishop, Gemma Mathers

ADVERTISING SALES

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PUBLICATIONS

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DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

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Folk on the Pier

Going out

10-12 May, Cromer Pier

Calling all lovers of lilting melodies and toe-tapping tunes! Folk on the Pier 2024 sets sail (well, more like docks) at Cromer Pier in Norfolk, bringing a wave of fantastic folk music. From established artists to rising stars, the festival promises a weekend of heartfelt harmonies, footstomping singalongs, and the salty charm of the seaside. So grab your sense of adventure and prepare to be swept away by the magic of folk! www.cromerpier.co.uk www.folkonthepier.co.uk

What’s in the Cardinal’s Cup?

18 May, The Thomas Wolsey Pub, St Peter’s Street, Ipswich

In the historic setting of The Thomas Wolsey pub, join Martyn Cornell, an award-winning writer and leading authority on British beer, to explore the history of medieval brewing and what was in Cardinal Wolsey’s cup. Once you’ve dived into the history, you’ll be guided through a beer tasting by a local brewery. www.thomaswolsey550.co.uk

Caitlin Moran: What About Men? 5 June, Epic Studios, Norwich

Paloma Faith

27 June, High Lodge, Thetford Forest

Feeling a lack of glitter and sass in your life? Paloma Faith's tour is here to inject your world with a shot of pure pop euphoria! Expect powerhouse vocals, electrifying anthems, and enough attitude to melt a glacier. Ditch the boring and embrace the bewitching! It's a Paloma Faith party, and you're on the guest list. www.palomafaith.com

Caitlin Moran is back on the road to discuss her bestselling book, What About Men? Out in paperback 6th June 2024, Penguin. For the last ten years, whenever Caitlin has been doing an event, or an interview – talking about women, and girls – at some point, someone will have asked, 'But, Caitlin – what about men?' And at first, like an idiot, she was like, 'Whevs. They’re fine. Dude, I’m all about Team Tits.' But now, after decades of rising male unhappiness, mental illness, loneliness, academic failure, and the online radicalisation of young men – plus modern men's trousers becoming so tight, they look like leggings – Caitlin has realised: yes. There is a problem here. Come and join the start of a new, urgent, but also often amusing conversation – and bring your husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, nephews, boyfriends and best friends with you. We’re better together. The show will feature an audience Q&A and book signing. All ticket purchasers will receive a copy of 'What About Men?' paperback rrp £10.99 www.epic-tv.com

Little Lifts & John Lewis Norwich Fashion Show

6 June 6pm-8pm, John Lewis Norwich

This is a fashion show with a difference as the models for the evening have all been affected by breast cancer and are a special part of the Little Lifts Community. The incredible stylists at John Lewis will be creating three gorgeous looks for the wonderful models. Tickets are £15 and can be booked online at www.littlelifts.org.uk

experience and hundreds of attractions there’s something for everyone. www.royalnorfolkshow.co.uk

Thursford’s Steam Gala Day

7 July, 11am-5pm

Tickets for one of Norfolk’s biggest steam gala days are on sale now, and after record attendance in 2023, this year is set to be another popular event. The Thursford Steam Museum showcases over 100 exhibitors of steam engines, mechanical organs, vintage vehicles, and classic cars. There’ll be live music from Sue Acoustic in the garden and Robert Wolfe in the museum and an aerobatic display from The Flying Comrades. Street food vendors, Bucket List and East Coast Pizzas will be providing food in addition to Thursford’s homemade catering in the Barn Café. With a selection of retail shops, free parking and a fully accessible site, Thursford’s Gala Day is the perfect day out for all ages this summer.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 01328 878477 and cost £14. Under 12’s go free. www.thursford.com

Suffolk Holiday Let Management & Marketing

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* Commission subject to VAT. Terms and conditions apply. Offer valid until 30th June 2024

Going out

Find your next

OMusicaLbsession

Norwich Theatre is the home of the best musicals. From a canine caper to the NOW album phenomenon, find your next musical obsession!

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

24-29 June | Norwich Theatre Royal

Jamie New is 16 and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Supported by his brilliant, loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies, and steps out of the darkness into the spotlight. This iconic musical features an all-star cast, including X-Factor winner Sam Bailey and Strictly Come Dancing royalty Kevin Clifton.

The Highwayman

14-18 August | Norwich Theatre Playhouse

A new British musical inspired by Alfred Noyes’ classic poem, The Highwayman, which tells the story of a doomed love affair of self-confessed sociopath. Sexy, darkly funny and deeply moving, The Highwayman is about longing for better while trying to run from the worst of our past.

101 Dalmatians

9-13 July | Norwich Theatre 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, show-stopping choreography, and witty songs!

A live band joyously re-imagines pub sing-alongs and folk ballads in super contemporary arrangements, from electro swing to Adele, with a sprinkling of Billie Eilish and Kae Tempest.

& Juliet

30 July-3 Aug | Norwich Theatre Royal

This hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks, what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including Britney Spears’…Baby One More Time, Katy Perry’s Roar and many more chart toppers. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

Going out

A Chorus Line

27-31 Aug | Norwich Theatre Royal New York City. 1975. On an empty Broadway stage, seventeen performers are put through their paces in the final, gruelling audition for a new Broadway musical. Only eight will make the cut. Celebrate the lives of theatre’s unsung heroes as they tell searing stories of ambition, shattered hopes, and what it really costs to follow your dreams.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

24-29 September | Norwich Theatre Royal

In this much-loved family favourite, we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts, who restores a broken-down racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon, the family discover the car has magical powers, and end up on a hilarious, fantastical adventure to far-off lands. Bursting with unforgettable songs, including Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and, of course, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The SpongeBob Musical

9-13 October | Norwich Theatre Playhouse

If nautical nonsense is something you wish look no further than local theatre company Sound Ideas and The SpongeBob Musical. Take a plunge into this stunning, all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea.

Come From Away

15-26 Oct | Norwich Theatre 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 that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts. Experience this joyous story and soaring music as spirited locals and global passengers come together to forge friendships that will stay with them forever.

NOW That’s What I Call A Musical

1-5 Oct | Norwich Theatre Royal

Celebrate 40 years of the iconic and chart-topping compilations brand NOW That’s What I Call Music, which has sold an estimated 200 million copies worldwide. This fun-filled evening is bursting with hits from Whitney Houston, Wham! Blondie, Tears For Fears, Spandau Ballet, and so many more. Award-winning comedy actress and EastEnders star Nina Wadia makes her Musical Theatre debut, joined on stage in Norwich by special guest and 80s pop icon Sinitta – performing her smash hit, So Macho!

Here You Come Again

8-12 Oct | Norwich Theatre Royal

For the first time ever, all of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits can be experienced together in a rollicking and joyous new musical comedy.

Packed with the iconic songs Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You, Here You Come Again, and more, this lively and touching new musical tells the story of a die-hard fan whose fantasy version of international icon Dolly Parton gets him through trying times. So all you have to ask yourself is what Dolly would do?

Norwich Theatre explores kindness in new Creative Matters season

Norwich Theatre has launched its latest Creative Matters season – Creative Matters: Kindness through Creativity

The year-long season explores how creativity and the arts can inspire change, tell unheard stories, build compassion and create a fairer and kinder society.

With the involvement of artists, storytellers, local communities, and creative partners, Norwich Theatre venues will host a range of events and creative experiences exploring kindness and what it means to the communities it serves.

Stephen Crocker, Chief Executive & Creative Director at Norwich Theatre, said: “Kindness is not just an emotion, but is defined by our actions. Acts of kindness that can be as simple as sharing and appreciating stories, listening and giving space to others to share what creativity and kindness means to them.

“When we experience kindness, there is a chain reaction. We are inspired to pay it forward and create a wave that impacts entire communities. By exploring the theme of kindness, we can ignite a movement of creative, positive impact and boost our community’s wellbeing.”

During Norfolk Creativity and Wellbeing Week (20 – 26 May), Norwich Theatre will be hosting Creative Kindness, a series of thought-provoking, creative workshops delivered in partnership with Norfolk Waveney Mind.

The two workshops are part of a series of thought-provoking sessions that help participants develop their selfcompassion toolkit, explore kindness, and learn how to use the tools in their daily lives. “Kindness is often seen as what we can do for others. It is easy to forget to be kind to ourselves. But to truly have a kinder society, we also need to look after ourselves,” said Stephen.

Radical Acts of Kindfulness (23 May) will explore how to bring powerful mindfulness and self-compassion skills into our everyday lives in simple and unexpected ways.

The Shambhala Warrior Prophecy (21 May) is a thousand-year-old Tibetan Buddhist prophecy that tells of the rising of regular people who wish to bring about great change and healing through the powers of compassion and insight. Practitioner Jenny Haycocks will lead an accessible workshop exploring the prophecy and its teachings for modern times.

To book or to find out more, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office at 01603 630 000

May Madness this half term at Norwich Theatre

Norwich Theatre has plenty of opportunities for children and young people to get creative during the May half-term with free sessions and halfday workshops.

For dancing fun, try Dance Day (29 May). This session explores ways to be kind to ourselves through dance. Working as a group, create choreography for a short original piece of dance. No dance experience needed, just a passion to move.

Drama Day (28 May) is an extended exploration of theatre making, encouraging creativity, imagination and confidence through performance. Participants will warm up with games and exercises before delving into the piece through acting, directing, movement and physical theatre.

Join an inclusive and free familyfriendly sing-along, celebrating voices from across the generations with the Kindness Choir (28 May). The choir is a welcoming space for families of all shapes and make ups to come together and learn some familiar musical songs, accompanied by BSL signing.

Norwich Theatre is also providing a free resource: the Manual for Kindness, available at the Box Office on 28 May. This printed zine is designed to be inclusive, with 10 pages of creative activities that invite drawing, writing, looking and imagining – suitable for all ages and abilities.

Or why not come and enjoy a show for a perfect family treat? Escape reality and join the boat-bed’s disparate crew in Ten in the Bed (26 May) in Norwich Theatre Stage Two as they dream up playful tales of pirates, misunderstood sharks and fishing trips. Or for a weekend treat with your little ones try There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (1 – 2 Jun) at Norwich Theatre Playhouse.

To book or to find out more, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office at 01603 630 000

it’s a date! NORFOLK NORWICH FESTIVAL

From

socially engaged art and a gigantic puppet to making connections through words, music, circus, and dance, this May offers a plethora of incredible things to do in Norwich and across Norfolk says Melanie Cook of VisitNorwich. www.VisitNorwich.co.uk

Spring has truly sprung and with that, it’s May. A month in Norwich and Norfolk which brings to our theatres, open spaces, and streets the UK’s oldest singlecity arts festival every year. Spilling with international acts, art installations, music, literature, and more, Norfolk & Norwich Festival tickles and titivates our cultural desires with an exciting and eclectic programme which never fails to deliver.

OPENING NIGHT

I’ve many fond memories of warm, sunny spring evenings for the launch of the Festival. Oversized dominoes toppling across roads, weaving through shops and buildings to the delight of the audience. A tightrope walker over Norwich Market – with no safety net. Flying soldiers over St Peter Mancroft. Gigantic dolls on wheels, singing opera. There have been some incredible sights. And this year is no different.

Free, and family friendly – Mo and the Red Ribbon is the start of the Welcome Weekend programme. With a story of hope and how we inhabit our world, Mo –the giant puppet will look spectacular as the city grows dark and the crowds join together in unison. Taking place on Friday, 10 May at 9pm (free), be in Norwich city centre for this promenade performance in the form of a huge puppet making its way through the city streets. The soundscape is yet to be revealed, but the trail will lead us to The Forum, where a final performance takes place to close the evenings event.

WELCOME WEEKEND

Hot on the heels of the opening night comes the Welcome Weekend Friday, 11th and Saturday, 12 May. A series of free entertainment in the streets of Norwich. Witness improbable circus using a built bamboo towering sculpture from scratch

with No Fit State Circus – Bamboo. Defying the laws of physics, world-class acrobats will perform incredible feats with their electrifying performance to live music. Other acts will include comedy, physical performance with pantomime flair, impressions of 50,000 animals, juggling and more. And all with an underlying message about the diversity and beauty of life. Read more at nnfestival.org.uk and search Welcome Weekend.

Circolombia Corazon

CITY OF LITERATURE

Many will be aware that Norwich is England’s first UNESCO City of Literature and has been since 2012 – 12 years ago! And with that, each year the National Centre for Writing programmes the City of Literature Weekend (24-26 May) featuring fantastic authors, performances, workshops, events, and the annual Harriet Martineau Lecture (Saturday 25 may, 12.30pm), which this year is delivered by none other than Val McDermid.

First things first – Page Against The Machine is a free (£2 donation welcomed) event in Plantation Garden on 25 May at 2pm with simultaneous events taking place in UNESCO Cities of Literature across the world. Everyone is invited to bring a book along with a drink and a snack and settle down – phone-free – for a detox. Sounds like bliss.

If you fancy a wander at your own pace taking in the sights of Norwich, perhaps

visiting places you’ve not ventured before or even noticed - then pick up a Wandering Words map (free) from the Festival box office at The Guildhall or download at nationalcentreforwriting. org.uk/wandering-words. You’ll need your phone because, upon scanning a QR code for each location, there’s an immersive poem recording to listen to from seven writers who have responded creatively to the locations or an event in its history.

Workshops are an important part of the City of Literature Weekend with six on offer this year, including one for children – Build A Community Picture Book (free, Saturday, 25 May and Sunday, 26 May, Dragon Hall, 10am - 11am and 1pm – 2pm, tickets must be booked in advance and one adult must accompany each child).

If you are keen to improve your writing try Poetry Workshop: Giving Place A

➤ continued on page 16

Aurora Orchestra. Photo: Mark Allen

Mo et le ruban rouge. Photo: MC Monin

Wandering Words. Photo: Joanna Millington

Voice (£35, Friday, 24 May, 11am – 1pm, 18 yrs+). This session covers how to consider the spirit of a place and how landscapes can be given a voice to speak. Or you might like Nature Writing Workshop: Inner Landscapes (£35, Sunday, 26 May, 2pm – 4pm, 18 yrs+) with therapist, writer, and gardener Marchelle Farrell.

VISUAL ARTS

An exciting tentacle of the Festival offer is its visual arts programming. See exhibitions – Daniel & Clara The Lost Estate and Holding Space at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery; the What Is Truth? Season at the Sainsbury Centre; Art for the Environment at GroundWork Gallery in King’s Lynn (until Saturday, 8 June); OUTPOST at 20 at OUTPOST Gallery in Norwich (until Thursday, 20 June); Fabricate: A Technicians’ Showcase at East Gallery, Norwich University of the Arts (Tuesday, 7 MaySaturday, 8 June) and Littoral: A Ceramic Installation at The Potters Arms (Friday, 10-Sunday, 19 May, Norwich).

Then there is something hugely special happening at Houghton Hall, where Antony Gormley – Time Horizon runs until Thursday, 31 October (book online £22, £24 at the gate, 18’s and under free, students £10). This will be one of Antony Gormley’s most incredible largescale installations featuring 100 life-size sculptures installed to create a single horizontal plane across the 300-acre parkland. And will be the first-time the

work has been displayed in the UK. Also, for the first time at Houghton, artworks will be presented over a larger area with the furthest away being 1.5 miles. So be prepared for some walking!

Houghton will also feature Magdalene Odundo from Sunday, 12 May-Sunday, 29 September. As one of the world’s most revered ceramics artists, this is an exhibition of sculptures made and sited in response to the state rooms at this magnificent Hall.

Music and performance are central to Norfolk & Norwich Festival and there are too many to mention, so I suggest grabbing a copy of the brochure and bedding down with a cup of tea to pour over it and plan what you want to experience.

That said. Book tickets for Circolombia’s world premiere of Corazón - which has been commissioned by the Festival for the Adnams Spiegeltent (Wednesay, 15-Sunday 26 May, £22-£25, 7.30pm). This is a fun-fuelled circus concert all the way from South America, packed with breathless feats and infectious music, where the audience is warmly invited right into the beating Latin heart.

Finally. There is always a performance to find that’s a bit quirky, different from the norm, and this year, I think it’s Mahan Esfahani’s Whispered Spells. Taking place every 15 minutes on Friday, 24 May between 2pm-3.45pm & 5pm-6.45pm in a secret city centre venue, tickets are £5. This will be an intimate 10-minute recital of music specially curated by the artist for his Festival residency playing the clavichord.

So, there you have it. But remember, these are just some of the very exciting events and creative performances to enjoy. Whatever your age, pocket, or taste, there is something here for everyone to love. And with many tickets either free or well-priced, I urge you to try something you’ve not done before, or book something you’re not sure about. I’ve done this time and again and have never been disappointed, - I’ve experienced some truly unique events. And to think, this is all on our doorstep.

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

In Event of Moon Disaster, Sainsbury Centre. Photo: VisitNorwich

Magdalene Odundo. Photo: Courtesy of the Gardiner Museum

Circolombia Corazon

Gardens • Café • Events • Weddings & Parties

Walks open daily with boardwalk and arboretum

Gardens and Tearooms 15th May - 1st September

Wednesday, ursday, Friday and Sunday Nature Walks and Art Exhibitions

Many events include: May 12th Vintage Fair

8x8 Art exhibition May 25th-June 2nd every day June 15th Wild About Mannington with Bioblitz July Music Weekend

For updates, please see website: www.manningtonestate.co.uk admin@walpoleestate.co.uk • 01263 584175 • NR11 7BB

Short Stay Season of the

by Charlie Smith-Knight

As thenights

draw out and the sun is busy putting his hat on, those early Summer vibes bring with them the promise of sun-warmed skin and the need to get away from your email inbox. But if, like me, you can’t understand how enjoyment can be found in an airport environment - a personality trait that is quite clearly the red flag of a sociopath - then a holiday without the need for rubber gloved customs officers and third-degree suspicion might be the happy medium you need. We’re talking about the good old fashioned minibreak beloved by Lord Baden-Powell and Bridget Jones alike.

More specifically I am talking about Glamping; whose meteoric rise to an adored national pastime is thanks to the way it treads the fine line between authentic camping experience and the maintenance of personal hygiene and home comforts. I have to say I am here for it because if an ant is going to crawl into my ear and lay eggs in my brain, I want it to be a challenge. The kind that involves scaling a shabby chic bed post in a manicured field first.

Tin Can Camping

Tucked away in Mundham, Norfolk is the idyllic slice of Americana you didn’t know you were missing. A peaceful site with a fleet of vintage American Airstream caravans provides a haven away from home with a perfectly retro aesthetic. Each van is equipped with original features; cosy bed, cutesy kitchenette and dining booth as well as its own exterior seating area and BBQ.

I have to say I am here for it because if an ant is going to crawl into my ear and lay eggs in my brain, I want it to be a challenge.

Showers are located in a communal area but don’t be expecting draughty ankles and hair in the plug-holes. To call it a shower block would be akin to calling St Paul’s Cathedral a community hall. Attention has been paid to the details. Situated neatly between Norwich and Beccles, you’re within easy reach of both. Although upon our stay we ventured across to Strumpshaw Fen and stumbled into a local Summer fête which was so much like an episode of Midsummer Murders that I half expected the compère to announce a body had been found in the herb garden behind the Vicarage. He didn’t and instead we participated in wellie boot throwing and the only Mr. getting served up was Whippy. Then we headed back to the site to wrap up in boujie blankets, throw some meat on the barbie and argue about who had to sleep next to the window. Check them out at tincancamping.co.uk

Tin Can Airstream

Tin Can Van

Kettles Farm

On ten acres of grassland in Bury St.Edmunds, Suffolk a row of wooden glamping pods overlook a private lake at Kettles Farm Glamping. This dog friendly site covers all the basics with snug but comfortable accommodation that won’t require a GoFundMe effort. You can fish, sit round the firepit to toast marshmallows and relax away from the binds of modern technology with a game of cards and a BBQ; come rain or shine. Each pod has its own toilet facility, and the showers are located in a high spec communal hut a few feet away. The thoughtfully designed layout allows enough privacy from other campers but also the opportunity to rent the whole site for group bookings. Based so close to the historic market town, there is plenty to do during the day. We visited the Ickworth Estate which is a National Trust site. The like of which 20-year-old me would have found dreary but since I turned 30 I have become a fully paid up member thanks to my sudden concern about the welfare of bees and old buildings. Coupled with my husband’s chronic back pain, it feels like an appropriate way to herald the approach of middle age. I digress, it’s a Georgian Italianate palace and those just aren’t words you get to say every day. Check them out at kettlesfarmglamping.com

Woodfarm Barns & Barges

A little gem resides in rural Stonham Aspal, Suffolk in the form of a cluster of cottages available for short stays with the added bonus of private hot tubs. Styled in traditional cottage quaintness, your stay will also include a breakfast basket of locally sourced produce. Hot tubs are concealed in the secluded garden areas that are fenced off in the event you wish to bring your dog, who is encouraged to join you free of charge. No need to share bathrooms or even see anyone else if you choose, Woodfarm Barns finds its own form of romantic and relaxing rustic decadence. Alternatively, you can rent one of two quirky barges that

are moored in coastal locations. Think hipster Captain Birdseye. In the day we cut a path through Flatford which is also known as Constable Country as it is synonymous with the painting of the Haywain. And if you don’t know what that is, you too could visit so you can say culturally smug things like me. Framlingham Castle is also on your doorstep. Possibly one of the only properties left in the village not owned by Ed Sheeran, it was certainly worth a visit to walk around the castle walls. Even though when we visited it was raining in such a manner, you’d be inclined to think I’d told Mother Nature she needed to try harder. Check them out at woodfarmbarns.com

Kettle farm

Kettle farm

Woodfarm

Woodfarm

Kettle farm

Woodfarm

FullyBooked

by Gemma Mathers

Theseason of spring cleaning is upon us and who doesn’t love a clear out? Well when it comes to books I am a prolific hoarder, no really it’s a problem. When deciding which books are going to grace your shelves it’s important to pick the ones you won’t need to de-clutter later on!

Daisy Jones & the Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

If you haven’t seen the series on Prime, stop what you’re doing and watch it. Well read this first, but go watch that after. Daisy Jones herself is brought to life by none other than Elvis’ granddaughter Riley Keough.

Some might argue that this is a summer read, and it is, but argue with the wall because I feel like Spring is calling me to Daisy Jones & the Six.

Taylor Jenkins Reid stuns yet again with this masterpiece. Daisy Jones & The Six depicts the rise and fall of a beloved band of the same name. Loosely inspired by Fleetwood Mac, Daisy Jones tells the story of the bands incredible success in the LA music scene to the mystery surrounding their eventual break up.

Book Lovers

by Emily Henry

Literary Agent Nora Stephens’ entire life is books. She’s not the laid-back dream kind of girl or even the sweetheart she so often sees gracing the pages of a romance novel. Instead the only kind of heroine Nora embodies is the cut-throat agent willing to go above and beyond for her clients, and her beloved sister Libby.

When Libby proposes a sisters getaway, Nora has no idea of Libby’s nefarious intentions to make Nora the centre of her own romance novel. But instead of the idyllic romantic lead, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a brooding editor from the city, a man she’s already met and very much not the hero she wants in her story.

But as coincidences mount that keep drawing the two together, Nora cant keep ignoring the tension, or the fact that Charlie Lastra really is quite charming.

Stardust

by Neil Gaiman

Young Tristan Thorn has vowed his heart to Victoria Forester, but she will only give her hand in return if he retrieves something for her. A gift unlike any other. Tristan has three days to venture over the wall separating the town of Wall from all of Faerie and retrieve a fallen star.

Nothing on Tristan’s journey is as he expected, from the fallen star to the witches that hunt for her but he’s determined to find a way back to his Victoria - only the Tristan that left may not be the one who returns.

For those who haven’t read the classic that inspired the hit move Stardust, you’re truly missing out. Neil Gaiman mixes fantasy, romance and even a little horror to make this masterpiece - we’d expect nothing less from the man who wrote Coraline.

Romancing Mr Bridgerton

by Julia Quinn

Penelope Featherington has been in love with Colin Bridgerton for as long as she can remember, but Colin has made it clear he’d never look to this wallflower for such things as love. When Colin returns to London from abroad, he and Penelope’s steadfast friendship quickly resumes. As secrets unfold and passions begin to ignite Penelope realises there’s more to Colin than she knew, and those secrets might just ruin everything.

Now a streaming phenomenon on Netflix, the fourth Bridgerton novel Romancing Mr Bridgerton is coming to our screens starting in May. Julia Quinn really hit the mark with this fan favourite novel and we can’t wait to see this story finally play out on-screen.

The Kiss Quotient

By Helen Hoang

Helen Hoang’s debut novel The Kiss Quotient is a fun, quirky and stunning romance perfect for Spring.

Stella Lane knows maths. Maths has given her a job that makes more money than she knows what to do with, but all the data in the world can’t help Stella in the dating department. Convinced that she needs lessons and algorithms to help her understand and pursue romance, Stella hires escort Michael to teach her.

Intrigued and unable to turn her down Michael agrees to help her check off all the boxes of her lesson plan.

This novel is charming and refreshing, to see a character with autism so openly confront the dating scene and be so readily accommodated by their partner is wonderful. All the traits surrounding Stella made her all the more charming and the book a wonderful experience.

Sun's out, drinks out!

As the days get longer and the evenings warmer, it's the perfect time to embrace the great outdoors and indulge in a tipple of something special.

Sunny Sips

www.jarrolds.co.uk

Jarrold Norfolk Apple Juice

750ml, £4.50

Jarrold La Rose Sparkling Cuvee 75cl, ABV: 12%, £35

A refreshing apple juice pressed from Katy and Discovery apples grown in orchards on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The Discovery is a crisp, juicy apple and the vibrant red Katy brings sweetness and a tangy edge, together they make the perfect apple juice for drinking.

Jarrold Norfolk Heritage Amber Ale

500ml, ABV: 4.0%, £3.95

Made with Norfolk Maris Otter & Heritage Chevalier malted Barley with a hint of Hindringham honey. This delicious amber ale is created with a combination of Maris Otter malted barley - from North Norfolk, heritage Chevalier barley - a malt recently resurrected after 100 years and heritage British hop 'Ernest'which gives fresh citrus and floral notes. Just a hint of Hindringham honey brings a beautiful balance to the flavours of this fine Norfolk ale.

English Whisky Jarrold 10yr Sherry Cask Whisky, 70cl, ABV: 52%, £95

Jarrolds and The English Distillery have collaborated to bring you a series of limited edition single malts, each taken from a single cask. Over the time each cask will show a unique trait of the distillers skill or the effect a different cask can have on the finished whisky.

show

A Norfolk made Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine. Exclusively produced by Chet Valley Vineyard for Jarrolds, this artisan sparkling wine evokes a majestic English Rose with its gentle perfume and delicate soft pink colour. The family-owned vineyard uses distinct varieties of cool-climate grapes which gives on the palate the prominent flavour of Pinot Noir in the blend and the delicate scent of hedgerow fruits. Beautifully fresh and dry enough as an aperitif but with enough character to partner fish and chicken dishes perfectly.

Jarrold Gin

70cl, ABV: 41%, £40

Produced in partnership with award-winning local distillery, St. Giles. Jarrold Gin is beautifully light and refreshing with notes of delicate citrus and Norfolk raspberry.

Richard Bainbridge’s Norfolk Asparagus & Cromer Crab

INGREDIENTS: Serves 4

METHOD:

• 15 large spears of Norfolk asparagus

• 2 dressed Cromer crabs

• 150g salted butter

• 150g water or R. Bainbridge Provisions fish stock or R. Bainbridge Provisions vegetable stock

• 1 bunch of chopped chives

• 1 bunch of chopped oregano (or your preferred herbs of choice)

• Norfolk samphire (optional)

• 4 whole tomatoes, peeled, de-seeded & diced

• a few thin slices of garlic

• juice of 1 lemon

• a few foraged leaves/ flowers to garnish

• a handful of crayfish (optional)

• a good quality or homemade mayonnaise, kewpie mayonnaise works well (optional)

• sea salt & pepper for seasoning

To prepare the crab, remove the white meat from the brown and place the white meat onto a metal tray. Pick through the crab as if you are typing very fast on a small typewriter, checking through all of the flesh to ensure there is no shell. Transfer the white meat to a bowl and refrigerate until required. For the brown meat, scrape this out into a blender and whizz until smooth or alternatively mash with a fork in a bowl until you have a fine purée. Season with a splash of the lemon juice, salt and pepper and again, refrigerate until needed. Place a large pan of salted water onto a high heat and bring to the boil. Remove the ends of the asparagus at the point where the stem is no longer woody and becomes green, or you can snap off the ends just as the old wives tale advises! Drop your asparagus into the water and cook for about 2 minutes until just tender. Remove from the water and drain on kitchen paper. Brush the spears with butter, olive oil or rapeseed oil and season with sea salt and white or black pepper.

Meanwhile, place the butter and the water or fish/ vegetable stock into a pan and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce roughly by half until you are left with a butter emulsion. Once you have a lovely, thick, buttery consistency add your white crab meat, fresh herbs, chopped tomatoes, the remaining lemon juice, a few thin slices of fresh garlic and remove from the heat. Stir well and season with salt and pepper, and a little more lemon juice if required. Now spoon the white crab butter emulsion into your serving dish or bowl and arrange your asparagus on top. Pipe the brown crab mixture over your asparagus along with a little mayonnaise if you wish. Garnish with a few wild leaves, Norfolk Samphire and/or herbs, such as wild garlic flowers, wild garlic leaves, dandelion leaves or chickweed to finish.

A generous handful of crayfish is another enticing addition to this dish. Stir them through the emulsion at the last minute. This would be delicious served with a vibrant rapeseed mayonnaise on top to add a little richness.

This is a beautiful simple dish and easy to achieve. If you are lucky enough to be holidaying along the North Norfolk Coast during the summer months or if you are hankering after a classic taste of Norfolk, this is the dish for you! It should be a joy to make, with no stress and is wonderfully flexible, so feel free to add or take away different varieties of seafood or herbs, if desired.

Photos: Katja

Bainbridge

Barbacoa Beef SLOW COOKER

INGREDIENTS:

• 1.5kg Beef Brisket

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

• 1 1⁄2 Tbsp salt

• Fresh cracked pepper

• 3 tsp dried parsley

• 2 tsp dried basil

• 2 tsp garlic powder

• 2 red onions, sliced

• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 2 jars of ART’s Barbecue chutney

Alice Rebecca Talbot owner of ART’s – Craft Kitchen

METHOD:

Firstly in a large pan on the hob seal and brown your beef on all sides.

Place half of the onion on the bottom of the slow cooker followed by the beef. Then add the rest on the onions along with all of the other ingredients. Top up with water until the top of the meat is just covered and set the slow cooker to low.

Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the beef shreds easily with a fork. Keep a check on the volume of liquid, topping up as needed so the it does not cook dry. If you check it after 8 hours, and it's not easy to pull apart, continue cooking for another 1-2 hours. Remove the beef from the slow cooker and transfer to a cutting board. Pull the beef apart using two forks. Beef can be served immediately with juices, with your accompaniment of choice. If you prefer the juices to have a thicker consistency, transfer to a saucepan and gently heat on the hob whilst slowing adding in some onion gravy granules to thicken.

TIP: You can use this beef for several meals such as in tacos or mixed in to a rich bolognese sauce with pasta.

ARCADIA

(AdultExclusive)

Departs Southampton 5th August 2026

Itinerary including: Iceland, Glasgow, Belfast & Cork

- Inside: from £1,299 (incl. coach transfer - £1,349)

- Outside: from £1,549 (incl. coach transfer - £1,610)

- Balcony: from £1,549 (incl. coach

£1,649)

VENTURA

Departs Southampton 8th August 2026

Itinerary including: Santander Gijon, El Ferrol, Madeira, Lisbon, Vigo

- Inside: from £1,299 (incl. coach transfer - £1,349)

- Outside: from £1,549 (incl. coach transfer - £1,610)

- Balcony: from £1,549 (incl. coach transfer £1,649)

On 12th August 2026 parts of the Northern hemisphere will be treated to one of The Solar Systems most astonishing phenomena... Total Solar Eclipse

Join P&O Cruises on one of the following cruise ships, departing from Southampton, that will be situated in the perfect position to take advantage of this momentous event

by Rebecca Bishop

I’mRebecca 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 kitchen and practise what you’ve learnt! I’m also the author of the baking book ‘Two Magpies Bakery’ and founder of Two Magpies Bakery in Suffolk.

Pizza classes this summer!

Using a wood fired oven you’ll learn how to make, shape and bake sourdough pizza – including a starter, main and dessert! You’ll learn how to mix and shape sourdough pizza dough, discuss ideas for pizza toppings and build your own sourdough culture ready to take home. There’s a Q and A session at the end of the class to discuss all things bread, pizza and sourdough.

Sourdough bread classes

Sourdough continues to be my most popular class so I’ve added a few dates for next year to my website so you can get ahead and secure your place. The class focuses on the fundamentals of sourdough baking and is suitable for beginners and bakers looking for more consistency with their loaves. We’ll be mixing, shaping and baking a range of doughs, working with different grains and learning how to maintain and care for a sourdough culture.

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

BAKING KNOW-HOW: using your senses

We’re often told that baking is a science – the importance of weighing your ingredients accurately, keeping track of timings and not going off-piste – but it's also important that bakers use their sight and touch as a guide to their dough. I like to make my bread by hand and encourage my students to do the same, particularly with a new recipe, so that they can develop the hand/eye/brain communication that’s needed to understand what’s happening in your dough. Supposedly simple Ingredients, such as ‘bread flour’ can be more or less absorbent depending on when they were milled, the grain type and how much bran and germ was extracted. This, will affect the amount of water a dough requires. The feel of the dough – too sticky or too dry – and the way it looks will help you make the necessary corrections and set you on the path for success. Next time you're tempted to throw all the ingredients in the mixer and just ‘let it get on with it ‘consider slowing down a little and getting to know your dough with your senses.

ALL THE GEAR: Dutch ovens

In my early bread baking days I obsessed over the best way to create steam in my oven. I remember pre-heating shallow trays, experimenting with lava rocks and metal chains (more surface area apparently) all accompanied by the energetic pumping of a spray bottle and the speedy slam of the oven door in my futile attempts to keep moist air in the oven whilst my bread baked. You may be wondering why... so let me explain.

Steam in a bread oven prevents the loaf that you’ve just spent hours nurturing into wobbling perfection from crusting over too early and not fulfilling it's open- crumb potential. In a commercial bakery, steam injection fills the oven with moist air until the baker calls time (half way through the bake) and expels the moist air, allowing a crust to form. Achieving something similar is a real issue in the fan driven dry heat of a domestic convection oven. Hard as you try to get moist air in the oven, that fan is driving it out again.

A Dutch oven is more of a concept than a specific piece of equipment - though there are plenty of very good ones on the market – and with luck you may already have something suitable in your kitchen. The Dutch oven is essentially an ‘oven within an oven’, allowing you to control the steam and release it halfway through the bake to create a crust. To make a Dutch oven you’ll need a cast iron or heavy casserole type pan with a lid big enough to take your loaf of bread (either in a tin or free form). Heat up the pan (and lid) to 220°c for at least 30 minutes before you’re ready to bake. When you're ready carefully place your dough into the hot pan (a baking parchment sling can be helpful for lowering in your loaf) and add a good spritz of water or a couple of ice cubes. Quickly place the lid back on and bake your loaf for 20-25 minutes, depending on its size before removing the lid to release the steam, allowing the loaf to finish it's bake and form a crust. For years I’ve used an old Le Creuset cast iron pan with a lid that never fails me; it really is the perfect way to bake at home.

Rye bread East Coast

Thishearty, country style loaf shows off the distinctive texture and taste of the rye grain. Rye lacks gluten so this dough feels sticky when it's first mixed so hold your nerve and resist the temptation to add more flour. The wheat flour in the recipe will soon develop its own gluten structure and the dough will become stronger and easier to handle.

INGREDIENTS:

Sourdough culture (Day 1 evening)

• 10g active sourdough culture

• 45g Rye flour

• 45g Water

Final dough (day 2 morning)

• 295g Strong white bread flour

• 75g Rye flour

• 8g Salt

• 260g Water (temperature will depend on your baking environment. You want to achieve a dough temperature of 26°c)

• 15g Coriander seed, ground

• 10g Caraway seed

METHOD:

(700g)

Day 1 (evening) prepare your sourdough culture by mixing 10g of active culture with flour and water. By the next day your sourdough culture should have doubled in size and be full of bubbles.

Day 2 (morning) combine the flours with the salt, the spices and the water using a scraper or your hands. Allow the dough to rest, covered, for 20 minutes. This is called the autolyse. After the autolyse add the ripe bubbly sourdough culture and knead the dough for 5-10 minutes until it feels strong and stretchy. Leave the dough to ferment for 3 hours with 2 sets of folds in the first hour, every 30 minutes. When your dough looks jiggly and aerated you are ready to pre-shape it then final shape it. You can shape it as a boule (round) or batard (long) and place the shaped dough in a floured banneton (basket) to prove cold overnight in your fridge. The next day preheat your oven and Dutch oven (see my section on Dutch ovens earlier in this article) then score your loaf using a sharp knife to allow it to expand and place in the Dutch oven with a spritz of water and the lid on. Cool before slicing.

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

UPCOMING CLASSES

8 May Italian baking class

15 June Sourdough pizza baking class

17 June Introduction to baking class

22 June Sourdough pizza masterclass (evening)

3 Aug Sourdough pizza masterclass (evening)

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

PALFREY & HALL

Here at Palfrey & Hall we are so lucky to be situated in Debenham and Bungay, surrounded by so many great producers who have a passion for the animals they rear. We work closely with local farmers and aba oirs to source our meat.

As butchers we can’t get by anymore just sticking with the age old traditional cuts. With increasingly busy work and home lives, and free time at a premium, we need to o er more than just a roast and a steak. There is strong competition for space on the dinner table from supermarket ready meals, takeaways and meal subscriptions, so a modern butcher needs to up their game.

There will always be a place for a Sunday roast, midweek bolognese or a cheeky Friday night steak and chips but we are seeing a real growing trend in our “easy” dinner options. From mini chicken roasts (chicken fillet stu ed with sage and onion stu ng, a chipolata then wrapped in bacon), to cheese burger bombs, kievs, curries, melt in the middle beef tru es and venison en croutes.

Customers like cooking at home but want that “what’s for dinner” decision making done for them. If for example, on a Tuesday night, we can o er something exciting, that’s oven ready to put alongside some potatoes or vegetables, it takes the hassle out of cooking leaving more time to enjoy that valuable family time in the evening.

If we, as butchers, can o er advice, some cooking instructions and be there with a great selection of products for all occasions, we can improve our repeat custom chances, our customer satisfaction and hopefully keeps us competing for that valuable spot on your dinner table.

Shellfish?

Recipes by STELLAR www.stellar.co.uk & WRIGHT BROTHERS www.thewrightbrothers.co.uk might want to share

Four great recipes you

Shellfish in W hite Wine

with Samphire

An impressive one-pan dish to enjoy outdoors in the sunshine, this is a twist on the classic ‘moules mariniere’. Perfect for seafood lovers, it’s full of fresh flavour with extra crisp and salty hints from the samphire. Pair with a loaf of crusty bread to mop up the buttery sauce – not forgetting a cold glass of your favourite dry white wine.

INGREDIENTS: Serves 4-6

• 1kg fresh mussels

• 500g-1kg fresh clams

• 12 large raw tiger prawns, in shells

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 shallots, finely chopped

• 150ml white wine

• 150g fresh samphire, rinsed

• 50g butter

METHOD:

Wash the mussels and clams under cold running water and scrub using a small, stiff brush. Pull off the ‘beards’ from the mussels. Discard any shellfish that are open and do not close when tapped. Heat the butter in a large pan. Add the garlic and shallots and cook for about 5 minutes until softened but not brown. Add the wine and turn up the heat until bubbling then add the mussels and clams. Turn up the heat and cook with the lid on for about 3-4 minutes, shaking the pan every now and then until the shellfish have opened. Using a slotted spoon, lift out the shellfish to a large bowl. Discard any unopened shells.

Add the prawns and samphire to the cooking liquor and cook for 3 minutes until the prawns have changed colour from grey to pink.

Return the clams and mussels to the pan and mix carefully with a large spoon. Heat through and serve with plenty of crusty bread.

Spanish Style with Chorizo Clams

Clams,

sherry and chorizo come together in this tasteful Spanish classic. The dish is a feast for the eyes yet deceptively easy to make. Enjoy every bite al fresco on a warm summer’s day. Serve with roughly torn crusty bread to dunk in the rich, oily juices. If fresh clams are unavailable use frozen clams or cockles.

METHOD:

Heat the oil in a sauté pan and add the shallots. Cook for a couple of minutes until beginning to soften. Add the chorizo and cook for 3 minutes over a medium heat until the oil is released and the chorizo is beginning to crisp around the edges. Add the clams and sherry, give the pan a shake and cover with a lid or foil. Turn up the heat for about 3-4 minutes until the clams have opened. Take off the heat, remove any unopened clams and add a generous handful of parsley. Serve hot.

INGREDIENTS:

Serves 2 as a main course or 4 as a starter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large shallot, very finely chopped

• 300g good quality cooking chorizo, roughly chopped into small cubes

• 1kg clams, soaked in cold water and scrubbed clean

• 100ml dry sherry

• Handful of fresh flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Pan Fried P rawns

in Garlic Butter

Devour this taste of the Mediterranean. So simple yet full of flavour, it’s an exquisite side or starter. Keep the shells on the prawns while cooking to protect the delicate flesh. Serve with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. This dish is only as delicious as the ingredients you use so try to buy the best sustainably caught prawns available.

INGREDIENTS: Serves 4

• 16 large raw prawns shell on

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• Large knob of butter

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped finely

• Juice of a lemon

• 2 Tbsp flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped (or a small handful)

METHOD: Melt the oil and butter in a large frying pan over a moderately high heat. As the butter starts to froth add the garlic and fry for a minute or so. Allow to soften but not burn.

Add the prawns and spoon the butter and oil mixture over them as they cook. Turn if necessary and cook for approximately 3 minutes until pink.

Add the lemon juice and parsley and serve immediately.

Serve something truly special with one of the most prized fish from British waters. We’ve teamed up with seafood specialists Wright Brothers to create this wonderful take on the Dover Sole. Best cooked whole on the bone, the Dover Sole has a lovely, sweet flavour with a firm and almost meaty texture. It pairs beautifully with the sweet prawns, vanilla butter sauce and peppery accents in this dish. Gently fry and serve with crunchy samphire for an unforgettable fish feast.

Pan Fried Sole & Prawns with

Vanilla Black Pepper Butter & Sichuan Lemon Samphire

METHOD:

Begin with the sauce. Add the Vermouth, fish stock, vanilla and pepper to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until reduced. Mix the butter with the flour to make a smooth paste and whisk into the reduction. Taste, season with salt and set aside to keep warm.

INGREDIENTS: Serves 2

Vanilla Pepper Butter

• 150ml dry white vermouth

• 200ml fish stock

• 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped

• ½ tsp coarse cracked black pepper

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter. soft

• 1 tbsp plain flour

• rock salt to season

Pan Fried Sole & Prawns

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil

• 2 x Wright Brothers whole Dover sole

• 100g Wright Brothers raw prawns

• 2 tbsp plain flour

• sea salt, black pepper & lemon juice to season

Sichuan Lemon Samphire

• 150g Wright Brothers fresh samphire

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

• ½ tsp Sichuan peppercorns, cracked

• ½ Lemon, Juice

Heat the oil for the fish in a large Sauté Pan. Season the flour with salt and pepper and dust both fish fillets, shaking off the excess. Reduce the heat in the pan to medium and add the fish, skin side down. Cook for 3 minutes, then flip. Add the prawns and cook for 3 minutes more, or until the fish is tender and the prawns are pink. Remove from the pan and divide between two plates. Add the butter for the samphire to the Sauté Pan and heat over a medium high heat. Add the samphire and Sichuan pepper then sauté for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice. Taste - the samphire is salty so it shouldn’t need any extra.

Drizzle the butter sauce over the fish and prawns and serve with the samphire on the side

inspiring women

Polly Bella

Evie

K inna

Lolly

The Spring Collective

Embracing colour & style to enhance your natural beauty

by Gemma Mathers

On 20 April, I took a trip to the Royal Norwich Country Club for The Spring Collective event, with Bella Singleton, Evie of Vivaldi Norfolk and the lovely Polly Vincent of Enhance Cosmetics Clinic.

Hosted at the Royal Norwich a beautiful setting for an event on all things fashion, lifestyle and embracing your inner self, there couldn’t have been a more perfect place.

Upon entry I was greeted by a gorgeous flower arch, courtesy of Basil & Pip who provided an array of flowers, from the flower arch to a gorgeous bouquet across the fireplace.

First, I must say, the setup was wonderful. Vibrant and colourful, the ladies did a great job capturing the Spring feel in the air. Our lovely hosts and guest speakers were dressed in the bright colours of Spring, perfect for delivering style tips, fashion advice and the best ways to bring out your inner shine.

Evie of Vivaldi Norfolk was first to present her wonderful colour analysis expertise. Demonstrating with two volunteer clients Evie showed us the difference getting your colours right can make. Are you warm toned or cool

toned? Do you suit soft colours or bright colours? Which colours wash you out and which make you shine? Getting these questions answered for you is imperative to building a capsule wardrobe that will never have you stuck for what to wear, and that’s what Evie offers. Colour analysis provides you with the necessary means to buy clothes that make you feel beautiful, youthful, and bright.

Bella Singleton’s premium, print led, scarf label was a delightful attribute to the event. Bella demonstrated different ways to style her scarves from the classic look shown in The Gentleman, to tying a hair band into the fabric and wearing it in your hair. Korinna Howie, (@isthistooyoungforme) showed us a fabulous trick in which she slipped the scarf through her necklace – I’ll be thinking of that trick for a long time. All of Bella’s scarves are versatile, perfect to enhance any outfit and bring that little bit of colour!

Our final host, the lovely Polly Vincent, gave a very endearing and educational talk about the necessities of skincare. Finding the right products that make your skin glow without the enhancements of makeup and those that will make the application of makeup so much smoother from exfoliants to cleansers to moisturisers. I left feeling so much more understanding of what my skincare actually does.

Guest speakers Korinna and Lolly were fabulous, guiding the event with their wit, storytelling, and incredible style. Lolly closed the talks with the tale of her life, career and all the challenges she’s overcome to become the powerhouse that she is today. Encouraged to close our eyes and imagine a place filled with all the things that bring us joy, productivity and happiness, Lolly took us on an adventure of finding passion and fulfilment.

The true joy of this event was to be in a room filled with wonderful women all uplifting and empowering one another; especially to witness three incredible businesswomen embracing their passions. Polly, Bella and Evie crafted a space for interaction, encouragement and intense enjoyment! I’d like to extend a massive thank you to Polly Vincent for inviting us along, and to Bella and Evie for being such wonderful hosts.

Find all these lovely ladies on Instagram: POLLY: @enhance_cosmetic_clinic @PollyVincent

EVIE: @VivaldiNorfolk

BELLA: @Bella.Singleton

KORINNA: @isthistooyoungforme

LOLLY: @LollyStreek

May

is here! The final month of spring, time really does fly by, doesn’t it? A month of rebirth, inspiration and excitement as we close out the first two quarters of the year and look forward to a long, relaxing summer.

Last month, we unveiled our muchanticipated bridal packages at Enhance Cosmetic Clinic, ahead of the upcoming wedding season, soon to be filled with love and celebration! Our bridal parties skincare routines are in full effect; paired with our exclusive injectable and non surgical services for optimal skin health on the big day. Investment and commitment is key for best results.

something undeniably empowering about knowing that the same treatments favoured by celebrities, are available to us too - more importantly right on our doorstep! At Enhance Cosmetic Clinic, we understand the importance of looking and feeling your best for life’s memorable moments. That’s why we’re proud

session or indulge in a 90 minute facial workout.

Amidst the excitement of high-profile gatherings, it’s essential to remember the importance of self-care and wellbeing. Mental Health Awareness Week (13th - 19th) serves as a timely reminder to prioritise our mental and emotional health. As a mother and business owner, I’ve experienced, like many of you, the challenges of balancing multiple roles and responsibilities. There have been days when the pressures of motherhood and entrepreneurship have felt overwhelming, and it was during those times that I leaned on my support network and prioritised self-care to keep on track.

I understand firsthand the weight of these expectations and the constant striving for balance and perfection. Why is it, when the demands of work pull me in one direction, the needs of my family tug at my heartstrings in another? It’s a sure fire balancing act that has required flexibility, resilience, and a healthy dose of self-compassion.

of self-compassion.

In my role as a business coach, I often find myself guiding women through this intricate maze of competing priorities. We discuss strategies for time management by prioritising tasks, setting clear goals and to focus time on what matters most. It’s about finding that sweet spot where productivity meets fulfilment—a place where we can thrive both personally and professionally, without sacrificing one for the other.

In finding balance, we discover the freedom to embrace life’s imperfections. Never forget to savour the moments that truly ma﬙er and grab the dry shampoo if you need it!

This month’s calendar is packed with dazzling events that capture the essence of elegance and sophistication. From the prestigious Met Gala to the glamorous Cannes Film Festival, celebrities from around the world will gather to celebrate fashion and cinema. Whilst we all may not all be walking the red carpet, there’s

to offer the Signature CACI Synergy Facial— a long time celebrity favourite renowned for its toning microcurrent system. Hollywood’s A-listers from Margot Robbie to Jennifer Aniston and many, many more are firm fans, prepping the skin and building the foundational canvas for make-up artists to work from. This facial will re-educate your muscles, repair tissue damage and re-hydrate the skin. Whether you’re preparing for a wedding, a milestone birthday, or simply want to feel radiant and tightened for a night out, the Signature CACI Synergy Facial delivers unparalleled lifting results. Travel, champagne and late nights will definitely mean you need an uplifting boost this Spring. Opt for a 60 minute express

Let’s remember to be kind to ourselves—to give ourselves permission to rest, recharge, and revel in the beauty of simply being. Kick back with a cuppa, snooze in on the weekends, have a makeup free moment, and leave the hair wash for another day. In finding balance, we discover the freedom to embrace life’s imperfections. Never forget to savour the moments that truly matter and grab the dry shampoo if you need it!

And speaking of embracing life’s beauty, May also marks the start of the Chelsea Flower Show—a celebration of nature’s splendour, breathtaking floral displays and innovative design. As someone who embraces mother nature, I love immersing myself in the beauty of our British seasonal cycles. Flowers for me, uplift the spirit, and a recent visit to the Southwold Flower Company in Suffolk was the perfect treat; as I wandered their pick your own flower fields, with my closest friends and Penelope in tow. Let the month of May be a reminder to cherish life’s simple pleasures and prioritise self-care, as we navigate life’s ever-changing landscape.

ENHANCE COSMETIC CLINIC

4 Ashhurst Place, Pakefield, Lowestoft, Su olk NR33 7AE

Instagram: @enhance_cosmetic_clinic www.pollyvincent.co.uk

Self care in style for Life

’s

Red MomentsCarpet

RAW TOP 10 FAQs Ready toRaw?

4

The team at the Raw Dog Food Company has selected ten of the most frequently asked raw feeding questions, and responded with straightforward answers to help you on your raw feeding journey.

1

WHAT IS A RAW DOG FOOD DIET?

A raw dog food diet or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF diet), is modelled on a dog’s ancestral diet, using completely fresh, natural ingredients, and is free from harmful fillers or additives.

By giving dogs what they are biologically designed to eat – a variety of different proteins with bone and offal, and boosting with nutritional supplements, creates a balanced nutrition over time, and contains everything a dog needs to not only survive, but thrive.

2

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FEEDING RAW?

A bowl licked clean and a wagging tail tells you that your dog loves the taste of their raw food, and you’ll see the benefits of feeding raw both inside and out; even temperament, greater vitality, supple joints, stronger bones and muscles, enhanced digestion, improved appetite, weight management, smaller stools, improved breath and oral hygiene, healthier skin and coat condition, boosted immunity, reduction in allergies and intolerances.

3

HOW DO I START RAW FEEDING MY DOG?

Deciding to raw feed your dog is a really positive decision towards your dog’s health. When new or transitioning to raw, there’s an abundance of information out there and it can be overwhelming. Each dog has their own unique requirements and nutritional needs, and no blanket approach applies.

Raw Dog Food Company is here to guide you on your dog’s raw feeding journey, and that’s why we offer complimentary consultations. By talking to us about your dog, we can tailor a raw feeding program unique to your dog’s needs with consideration to their breed, age, weight and specific health and dietary requirements. Consultations offer great peace of mind, as we’ll guide you on not only what to feed, but how much and when. And once you’re established, we’ll still be there to continue to support you, ensuring your dog is thriving on the goodness of raw.

WHAT ARE 80/10/10, 80/20, 85/15 AND 90/10 MINCES?

Quite simply these numbers clearly highlight the percentages of mince, bone, organ meat (offal), as well as vegetable formulation of the mince. The ingredients in raw dog food are completely all natural, all real, and are free from grains, gluten, additives and preservatives.

80/10/10

An 80/10/10 recipe contains 80% protein, 10% bone and 10% offal, three natural ingredients essential to your dog’s nutrition and wellbeing:

80% protein: Contains muscle meat, muscular organ meat and quality meat cuts. Protein is rich in amino acids, essential for growth, maintenance and repair, and also contains fat essential for energy.

10% bone: Contains ground meaty bones that are highly nutritious and rich in calcium, phosphorus, nutrients, minerals and vitamins, and support dental hygiene and mental stimulation, as well as aiding the healthy formation and release of stools.

10% offal: Nutrient dense, offal is a collective term for organ meat, specifically secreting organs such as liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen or brain, to name but a few.

80/10/10 minces come is a large variety of both single and mixed protein flavours, including game proteins suitable for dogs with intolerances to farmed protein sources. These minces are great for raw feeders who want the convenience of a nutritious ready mixed mince, and like the flexibility of combining their own vegetables and fruits, eggs and herbal supplements for added nutritional benefits.

80/10/10 minces may also be known by different names, such as Dinners, depending on the brand. Always read the product description and the list of ingredients.

80/20

80/20 minces are also made with natural, fresh, human grade ingredients essential to your dog’s nutrition and wellbeing, and contain: 80% quality meat cuts, muscle meat, muscle organ meat, ground meaty bones and organ meat (offal), and 20% human grade fresh vegetables, natural herbal supplements and eggs. 80/20 minces are convenient as they already contain supplemental ingredients, and come in both loose mince, sausage or block portions. 80/20

minces come in a range of single protein flavours, and also flavourful mixed game flavours great for dogs with intolerances to traditional protein sources.

85/15

Packed full of essential proteins and nutrients, 85/15 minces contain 85% human grade quality meat, with 5-7% bone content and nutritious organ meat (offal), and 15% seasonal vegetables and herbs. The vegetables and herbs in these formulations are human grade quality and not in pulp form.

90/10

90/10 minces are made from 90% human grade quality meat, with between 5-7% bone content and nutritious organ meat (offal), and 10% human grade vegetables and herbs. 90/10 minces are also formulated with additional superfoods such as ginger, spirulina and black pepper – natural ingredients that will further enhance your dog’s raw bowl.

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WHAT ARE NON-COMPLETE MINCES?

Non-complete minces have differing percentages of meat, sometimes with or without offal, and may be boneless or have a bone content higher than 10%. Non-complete minces are used as an ingredient, added to other raw ingredients to make a meal. Non-complete minces are ideal for Do-It-Yourself raw feeders. Once your dog has transitioned and is digestively showing you that they are ready and can tolerate new additions, then you can slowly introduce a DIY raw meal, remembering to achieve a balance of 80% protein, 10% bone and 10% offal over time for optimal nutrition.

For example: Feed a non-complete lamb and chicken mince with 25% bone with some tripe chunks for breakfast, then for the next meal feed a boneless beef and tripe mince (choose a boneless mince as the previous meal had a high bone content). The following day for breakfast feed a Complete 80/10/10 turkey mince.

Always observe how your dog is responding digestively by monitoring stools, and always introduce changes slowly and in small portions. And remember to attain a nutritional balance over time.

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WHAT’S TRIPE?

Tripe is the untreated contents and lining of a ruminating animal’s stomach, and is naturally strong smelling. The aroma, texture and colour of tripe varies seasonally as it is determined by diet. Green tripe means that it is tripe in its natural state, and has not been processed, washed or bleached. Lamb and goat tripe are generally lower in fat compared to ox or beef tripe.

Tripe is a nutritious organ meat and is known as a superfood for dogs as it contains natural probiotics and gastric juices that aid digestion and food absorption. Tripe also boosts a dog’s immune system, assists in building healthy muscle and supports skin and coat condition.

Tripe also contains:

Calcium essential for bone structure and controls muscle and nerve function

Phosphorous aids in the formation of bones and teeth, supports muscles and aids kidney and heart function; Amino acids including leucine which promotes muscle recovery and repair;

Stool consistency and colour is an indicator of how your dog is digestively responding to their raw diet, and reflects what ingredients have been fed:

Yellow Stool: feeding a diet high in poultry such as chicken and turkey.

Dark Brown Stool: feeding red meat, such as beef or lamb.

proline which support the production of cartilage and heals wounds; Aspartic acid which boosts antibody production

Tripe is an essential part of your dog’s raw feeding. Dogs naturally love the smell and texture. Tripe can be fed as a meal by itself, or can be mixed with other proteins. It is also a helpful enticer when introducing new protein flavours to your dog.

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HOW CAN I FEED MEATY BONES AND CHUNKS?

Raw meaty bones contain muscle meat and connective tissues and chunks with bone in or boneless are great nutritionally, as well as for the dental and mental well-being of your dog.

Feed a variety of raw meaty bones such as chicken wings and feet, turkey necks, poultry carcasses, veal frames, riblets and ribcages. Always choose bones suitable to the age, size, dietary requirements and chewing style (gentle or intense chewer) of your dog.

Chunks satisfy your dog’s natural instinct to chew. Chunks come in a range of proteins such as pork, salmon or venison, as well as tripe and offal, with or without bone, and may be are served as a treat or snack and as an ingredient to add to Do-It-Yourself raw recipes.

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WHY IS MY DOG’S POOP IMPORTANT?

Dark Black Stool: a raw meal containing a lot of blood will result in a black stool. The excess blood from the diet oxidises in the colon, resulting in very dark stool.

Organs such as liver and spleen have high amounts of blood present and can make a dog’s stool darker.

Tar-Like Stool: an unformed or loose tar-like stool is caused when there’s too much organ meat in the diet. Organ meat should consist no more than 10% of a dog’s diet and be made up of 5% liver and 5% other secreting organ (such as kidney, spleen or pancreas).

White/Grey Chalky Stool: hard and chalky stools mean that there is too much bone content present in the diet. To remedy, feed one boneless meal, and return to meals with a lower bone content.

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IS VARIETY IMPORTANT WHEN FEEDING RAW?

Feeding a variety of proteins, textures and mixes, is an important component when feeding raw. Like humans, dogs enjoy and thrive on variety in their diet, and can become bored or develop intolerances when fed the same meal. Furthermore, different proteins deliver different nutritional benefits, and always introduce new ingredients in small quantities over time.

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WHAT ELSE CAN I ADD TO MY DOG’S RAW BOWL?

As raw dog food is completely natural, free from unnecessary fillers and additives, your dog’s stool will be noticeably smaller and far, far less smelly.

The perfect poop should be easily passed, and be firm but not hard, will maintain its shape when picked up, and the colour will vary depending on the type of protein eaten and the amount of calcium from the bone content left.

Ready mixed supplements made with human grade vegetables, herbs and natural probiotics pack a nutritional boost containing natural carbohydrates, fibre and anti-oxidants. From your own pantry, you may like to feed organic eggs with the shell (or washed supermarket eggs), parboiled or puréed vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato, broccoli or spinach, and even fruit such as blueberries, cranberries and apple.

Interior Trends

U R Y NTERIORS

XULKLOFRON

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

Norfolk Luxury Furniture 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.

@norfolkluxuryfurniture

www. norfolk luxury furniture .com

The Minimalistic Look

A minimalistic home interior typically uses a very basic set of colours. Whites, off-whites, soft greys and neutral colour schemes are the key colours for a minimalistic home. Not only are these very standard colours, but they also provide the advantage of being very subtle. By sticking with neutral colours, you’ll find that you can play with different textures and lighting in your design.

The key rules of creating a minimalistic look:

• Less is more! Keep it simple

• Choose neutral shades

• Get rid of anything you don’t need

• Clean simple lines

• Contemporary furniture

Interior tips for April

Simple Spring decor ideas for your home

1. Bring Spring flowers indoors. Faux flowers are long-lasting, have no maintenance and always look their best all year round.

2. Enhance your outdoor experience this Spring. Brush away the winter cobwebs by power washing your patio and surrounding areas, or invest in some good-quality garden furniture.

Stella Chairs in Beige Chenille sat around the Riva Dining Table,Avanti Renegade Bar Stools in background Available from norfolkluxuryfurniture.com

THE BURFORD TABLE & BENCH

I love this look, with the Garden Table and Bench which together creates an informal table setting perfect for family feasts and summer barbecues. Each piece in this set is fully weatherproof, so you can leave it out to enjoy all year round. View the full collection at norfolkluxuryfurniture.com

Luxury Greenhouses

Looking for a bespoke greenhouse? Hartley Botanic offer some beautiful, handmade greenhouses with a variety of styles and sizes. I love all of their accessories including the Victorian roller blinds, ornate staging and lighting! If you’re ordering a greenhouse from Hartley Botanic, make sure to mention Norfolk Luxury Furniture and you’ll get 10% off all greenhouse accessories! Visit hartley-botanic.com

"Nicholas Alexander" at Williams is a range of soft furnishings that are hand crafted with the highest quality materials & to the highest standards offering unparalleled luxury. Our bespoke designs are made to your exact specifications, ensuring your home décor is as unique as you.

Gardening with Tom Strowlger

delight us all the way to the first frost in autumn. Dahlia thrive in well-drained soil with full sun.

The green shooting vines of climbers like Passion Flower, Clematis, Jasmine, Wisteria and Honeysuckle should be supported onto trellises, fences, arches and walls. We can use green string, plant rings and wire to secure the new vines into place. To get the best out of our climbers we need to train them to be neat and tidy, grow into the shape we want and of course successfully flower, plus prevent vine and branch damage on windier days.

Tom Strowlger

@garden_with_tom

The last month of meteorological Spring is upon us and the garden is fresh, green and showing off lots of flowers. The month of May brings us gardeners a sense of reaping what we have sown, our past efforts are now really giving us their rewards. The longer and warmer days bring our gardens to life. We can be outside all day long and get excited about summertime being just around the corner. However, before getting comfortable in a garden chair the preparation for our summer garden isn’t quite done so let’s use the month of May to tick a few more jobs off the gardening list.

Early May is the last call for planting out summer bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers including Dahlia, Begonia, Gladioli and Freesia. They need some time in the ground to fully establish to create lovely flower displays during the peak summer season. Dahlia is a favourite of mine and their tubers can be planted this month to give a summer flower display that will

The plants will need to be kept moist to keep them happily growing throughout the warmer months. During any hot spells we should water our plants early in the morning or later in the evening,

To get the best out of our climbers we need to train them to be neat and tidy, grow into the shape we want and of course successfully flower

this ensures the water gets deep into the ground and evaporation is minimised. Do remember to water at the base of plants and not the leaves downwards, so to get the water to the root systems and prevent plant disease.

The lawn grass is now enjoying warmer soil so we can now cut it weekly, but not too short as we want the grass to flourish in the summer months. A longer grass leaf supports a healthier lawn, as the longer the grass the better the lawn grass can cope with dry spells. If you have any bare patches in your lawn, then hand sow grass seed into patches to ensure germination in time for summertime.

Many of the spring bulbs will have flowered and flourished and be at the end of their flowering season as we gently transition from springtime into summertime. We can deadhead spent flowers but leave the green leaves to die back naturally as they will be catching the sunlight to store energy for next year’s flower display. You can carefully lift and divide any overcrowded daffodils and spring flowering bulbs and plant into new areas of the garden ready for next spring’s flower display.

As an enthusiastic gardener I thrive in the month of May, because I can look back on the springtime gardening achievements with a jolly smile whilst looking forward to what summertime will bring.

Please do follow me on Instagram @garden_with_tom for more seasonal gardening advice and tips.

May

TOP TIPS

Keep pulling up fast growing weeds by the roots

Support your tall and delicate plants with plant supports and canes

Open greenhouse windows and doors on warm days

Keep the bird bath topped up

Treat wooden garden furniture

your lived in luxury interior to your outdoor space. Summer time can be enjoyed both in the gorgeous sunshine right through to the glow of the evening.

We’re here to share tips on how to create your dream ‘outroom’... Unlocking the potential that your outdoor space has to offer. You can achieve this in many ways, but here are few we have been discussing this year for S/S24.

• Blending your interior and exterior can make your home feel complete and give you continuity to the outdoors. Bringing out those soft furnishings such as cushions and textured throws helps link those cosy and fulfilled elements through to the outside. For example, the striped throw and geometric style cushions featured, layers those elements together.

• Lighting is key to the longevity of summer, there’s no better feeling than sitting outside enjoying precious time with family and friends right up until the depths of the evening. You can add in a pop of colour with our funky lanterns or feature wall lights around the garden for that practical glimmer.

• Pattern and colour can transform your outdoor space. We have looked into damson, olive green and twilight blues for this colour palette. The deep rich reds brings warmth while the olive green allows the plants to connect with your decor. Injecting some profound navy blue tones also adds that extra colour layer to compliment and create that all desired immersive space. You can choose whichever colours work best for your space and include all the colours that you love! Whether you are cosying up to the firepit or lounging in the sun we have so many options for your outroom this spring-summer 2024.

We at John Lewis Norwich Home design would love to assist you with your home styling journey with our free service. Whether you're refreshing a room or rethinking your whole home, we can help you create a look you’ll love. Equally, you can follow us on Instagram @jl_lucyandanielle for more inspiration.

by Lucy Heavens and Danielle Day

John Lewis Platform Modular 4-Seater

Lounging Set, £1,199

Ivyline Firepit Bowl & Rectangular Console Table, £219.99

John Lewis Faux Jute Outdoor Chevron Pouffe, £160

by Chloe Norman Personal Stylist at John Lewis Norwich

Instagram:

@jl_chloenorman

Summer your way, be it a one piece, tankini or bikini. Long wide linen trousers, floor length maxi dresses, or you love a more classic denim short, shirt and Birkenstocks.

The most important thing about summer dressing is comfort. You want cool, lightweight fabrics, preferably natural fabrics that are breathable and make you feel great all summer long. One of my top picks this season is the John Lewis Cropped Linen Trousers that come in navy, natural or khaki. Great to dress down for every day with a Breton T-shirt, or smarten up with a blouse for the office. If you're looking for a particular summer piece or a perfect holiday capsule wardrobe you can book a free in store personal styling session with myself, or one of our in store stylists for free online at johnlewis.com

Summer dressing throws up lots of difficulties in many other ways including the dreaded strapless bra, or a bra that won’t be seen under a summer white linen shirt. One of my favourite strapless bras for summer is the Wacoal Halo Bandeau Bra available online at johnlewis.com. If in doubt, we offer bookable and walk-in bra fitting appointments to help with all lingerie and swimwear needs to help with those lingerie solutions.

It’s not just clothing that needs to be thought of in summer but skincare. SPF is important all year round but even more so in summer. Use a facial sunblock everyday such as Ultra Sun Daily Face Fluid.

1. John Lewis Cropped Linen Trousers in Forest Green, £45

2. John Lewis Leather Scoop Bag in Black, £99

3. John Lewis Lama Leather Strappy Footbed Sandals, £85

4. Ultrasun Daily Face Fluid SPF 50+, 40ml, £28

5. AND/OR Tropic Embroidered Maxi Dress in Pink, £45

6. John Lewis Stripe Raffia Fringe Tote Bag, £39

7. Estée Lauder BronzeGoddess Eau Fraiche, 50ml, £58

If you struggle with your skin needs and makeup during hotter months, why not come along to our in store beauty event on May 23rd at 5pm. Tickets are available to purchase in store for £5.

I have created a wish list of my favourite summer pieces

LOVEY DOVEY by Jazmine and Tonia.

We’re a mother and daughter run business, we have been growing Lovey Dovey for the past 4 years and we opened our first shop in Lowestoft November 2022!

Tonia has been in the Jewellery Trade for over 30 years so it was inevitable that I would love jewellery as much as she does! We’re a very close family and do lots of things together so running a family business is just perfect for us! We’ve also recently grown our business and added piercings and Fine Line Tattoos by Tony Poole!

The newest addition to our shop is our Lovey Dovey Charm Club which launches in-store on Friday 10th May! A new and fun way to personalise your Jewellery for everyone with over 100 charms in-store to choose from. A great interactive experience for the hottest jewellery trend this summer.

Follow us on social media for up and coming events and charm ideas!

Spring into Style

What to wear this May

by Polly Coleman

As the weather warms up and the flowers begin to bloom, May is the perfect time to update your wardrobe with some fresh new styles. Whether you're attending a spring wedding or just looking to revamp your everyday look, there are plenty of fashion trends to try this month. Here are some of my tips on what to wear this May...

1. Wide-leg trousers...

Wide-leg trousers are a stylish and comfortable option for this month. They're perfect for dressing up or down, and they pair well with both heels and trainers. Try pairing them with a fitted top or a cropped jumper for an ontrend look.

2. Floral prints...

It wouldn't be spring without some classic florals. Floral prints are a timeless yet fresh trend that are perfect for May. From dresses to blouses to accessories, there are plenty of ways to incorporate this classic print into your wardrobe.

3. Statement Accessories...

Injecting vibrant pops of colour into your wardrobe not only adds excitement but also captures the season's essence of renewal and vitality. From striking neon earrings to bold patterned scarves, these eye-catching additions effortlessly elevate any outfit, reflecting your unique style and infusing each day with a burst of energy and optimism.

4. White trainers...

White trainers are a classic, versatile and comfortable shoe option for spring. They are timeless and roll back around the fashion circuit every year. They're perfect for pairing with dresses, skirts, and jeans. Plus, they add a fresh and clean look to any outfit.

readers!

Pink & Gold Hamsa Earrings, Thunderbolt Earrings & Blue and Red Eye Tassel Earrings £55 per pair, Neon Army, www.neonarmyofficial.com

5. Pastel colours...

Spring is all about light, bright colours, and pastels are a perfect choice for May. Think pale pink, baby blue, and mint green. These colours are perfect for adding a gentle pop of colour to your outfit without being too bold or overpowering.

6. Lightweight layers...

As the weather starts to warm up, you'll want to start layering your outfits with lightweight pieces. Think flowy cardigans, denim jackets, and lightweight scarves. These pieces are perfect for adding a little warmth in the morning and evening, without overheating during the day.

Superga Beaded White Flatform Trainers, £110, Oliver Bonas