Iceni Magazine Norfolk Issue 71

I C E N I N O R F O L K

ISSUE 71

Focus On: Mental Health & Well-being

Agent Shave Goes Undercover

Just For Fun Guess The Year

Motoring Review

New Toyota Corolla Reviewed

The Norfolk Bride Exciting New Venture

Welcome To Iceni Magazine,

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Welcome to March's issue of Iceni Magazine. After a bizarrely-mild February, we are unsure what March and the beginning of Spring will bring, but, whatever the weather, we hope you all manage to make the most of it!

This month's focus is on Mental Health and Well-being. Page 30 offers three grounding techniques to try if you are in the midst of an anxiety attack. On page 45, read about what a local man did when he needed a little extra support in his life and was unable to find it. Charlotte Mooney, Dotty Designs Nail Art, shares how painting nails has saved her life (pages 46 and 47) - check out our website for an exciting competition!

Also in this month's issue, read about a controversial visit from the Tooth Fairy for 'See What Mummy Says' on page 14 and the new Iceni soap on page 26 (great choice of name!).

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CONTRIBUTORS Becca Hamling, Charlotte Mooney, Cheryl Cade, Dani Binnington, Keri Beevis, Matt Porter, Patrick Arundell, Serena Fordham, Shelby Baker, Stephanie Taylor, Susan Leigh, Thomas Hamling, Tim Barnes-Clay.

Page 3 Image Benjamen Terry - www.definedetail.com

So, until next time, please put your feet up and enjoy reading Issue 71!

Disclaimer

Copyright Š Iceni Magazine Limited.

All rights reserved. No articles, adverts, content or design in this magazine may be used or reproduced either in whole or part, online or in print. The views and advice from contributors are not necessarily those of Iceni Magazine Limited. Every effort is made to ensure the contents are accurate, however Iceni Magazine Limited can not assume responsibility for errors, omissions or incorrect information. Iceni Magazine Limited accepts no liability for loss, damage or difficulties resulting from contracts between The Client and their customer. Inclusion within the magazine does not imply a recommendation.

Contents 62

pages

Full of absolute dynamic

creative content!

“You Reap What You Sow”

29

36

CANCER PERFECT:

FOCUS ON:

Are We Putting Women Under Pressure ...

Mental Health & Well-being

26

48 45

NORWICH SAMARITANS Have You Heard?

06 09 10 12 14 15 17 18 20 22

The Benjamin Foundation Monthly Update The Norfolk Bride Exciting New Venture Acclaimed Comedy Star And Two Panto Favourites Iconic Ballet Returns With Fresh Look See What Mummy Says A Visit From The Tooth Fairy!

Nova Silver March Iceni Columnist Keri Beevis Motoring Review New Toyota Corolla Reviewed The Gadget Man Vehicle Tracking Gadgets Mortality Motivation: Why You Should Start...

24 26 29 30 31 34 36 38 39 42

Nibbles & Tipples March Agent Shave: Goes Undercover Focus On Mental Health & Well-being 3 Grounding Techniques To Try To Alleviate Anxiety Attacks Deal With Your Anger Issues My Mental Health Roller-Coaster Ride Cancer Perfect: Are We Putting Women...

To My Husband…

I’m Sorry Open Letter To...

An Anxiety Sufferer Children's Mental Health A Quick Internet Search...

AGENT SHAVE: Goes Undercover

44 45 46 48 50 51 52 59 60

OCD Behaviours It’s Commonplace For...

M.A.T.E. Men And Their Emotions How Painting Nails Saved My Life Norwich Samaritans Have You Heard?

Just For Fun Guess The Year!

What's On...

Across Norfolk This Month What's On...

King's Lynn Corn Exchange What's On...

Sarah Darling Coming To...

Iceni Horoscopes What Do Your Stars Hold?

THE BENJAMIN FOUNDATION

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Issue 71 2019

The Benjamin Foundation The Benjamin Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary In 2019, The Benjamin Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Our charity helps people across Norfolk and Suffolk to deal with some of the challenges that life throws at them.

Whether it’s the prevention of youth homelessness, helping families to build stronger relationships or providing positive activities for young people with limited opportunities in life, our work brings hope, opportunity, stability and independence to the people we support.

Our 25th anniversary year is a wonderful opportunity to generate even more awareness for the work we do as well as raise much needed funds.

To celebrate this milestone, we are hosting a number of exciting events, including our Flight for Youth Art Installation - more information about this will be coming soon!

We also have sponsorship opportunities for businesses available. Please email Colin Lang MBE on colin.lang@benjaminfoundation.co.uk to enquire.

You can follow our 25th anniversary activities on social media with the hashtags #TBF25 #FlightForYouth or visit our website: https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/25th-anniversary/

Do you have a Heart and a Home?

Heart and Home is our supported lodgings service; it offers accommodation in the home of a Host to vulnerable young people who are in need of stability, security and a place to live.

This is somewhere they can start to learn important life skills, which will help them on their way to independence.

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THE BENJAMIN FOUNDATION

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Issue 71 2019

We're looking for people to join our amazing network of Heart and Home Hosts. These are people who can offer a spare room and who are also supportive, tolerant and understanding. You will receive a support payment, comprehensive training and regular guidance while you have a young person staying with you.

“People need stability to progress, thrive and flourish. I've intervened to try to change one person's life. If everybody did that it would make a profound difference.” Heart and Home Host.

For further information and an informal chat, please contact our Heart and Home team on 01603 886930 or email: heartandhome@benjaminfoundation.co.uk

Our latest events

Sunday 28th April: Stody Lodge Open Gardens: We will be serving tea and cake to raise money for our charity.

Thursday 6th June: Butterfly Treasure Hunt: Can you solves the clues and win the treasure in our fun trail around Norwich. The event finishes with a tasty BBQ at Rooftop Gardens.

Book online to take part or contact 01603 886932 if your business would like to sponsor a clue.

Thursday 14th November: Norwich Sleep Out, Norwich City Football Club Could you spend one night outside so others don’t have to? Challenge yourself and help us to end youth homelessness.

For more information about our events and to book your place, please visit: https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/events/

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ICENI - NEWS

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Issue 71 2019

Pictured: Kim Butcher Photo Credit: Jude Newstead-Howard

The Norfolk Bride The Georgian town of Holt welcomes ‘The Norfolk Bride’ which opened its doors for the first time last month, despite uncertainty and fierce competition on the High Street.

This exciting new venture will specialise in bespoke bridal wear and accessories which contrasts sharply with internet and larger chain stores with the majority offering synthetic mass produced bridal wear.

Customer service and experience are at the heart of the business at ‘The Norfolk Bride’ which is situated in the charming courtyard setting of Lees Yard. Kim Butcher justifies choosing to open her new venture in a relatively concealed location, despite being just a few steps from the town centre, “My overheads are as lean as possible which will enable me to offer the highest quality, handmade designer gowns at very affordable prices. Our brides can find styles ranging from clean cut designer looks through to floaty boho gowns, all of which are created using the finest silks, hand-beaded Italian and French laces, the design and quality which you expect to find from high end designers in London.”

One of Kim Butcher’s priorities was to choose a British designer and she is delighted to be working exclusively with Sarah Bussey of Ivory & Co. “I wanted to work with a business which not only delivers an exceptional level of service, but more importantly to provide the flexibility and very finest choice for my brides.

This includes a full bespoke service, meaning brides can be in complete control over the style of gown they wish to emulate.”

Holt is renowned for its individual yards which encourage a sense of discovery, so Kim believes it was the perfect place to situate her new venture. “The Yards of Holt offer such an eclectic mix of high-quality retailers where everything from Galleries to Groceries can be found. ‘The Norfolk Bride’ fits so well into Lees Yard and complements the other destination businesses which provide an exclusive, intimate yet relaxed environment.”

For more information visit: www.thenorfolkbride.co.uk

Email: info@thenorfolkbride.co.uk PAGE

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ICENI - NEWS

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Issue 71 2019

Acclaimed Comedy Star And Two Panto Favourites To Star In Cinderella

Pictured: Joe Tracini Credit: Jennifer Evans

Pictured: Richard Gauntlett

Pictured: David Gant Credit: Michael Wharley

CINDERELLA

17 December 2019 - 19 January 2020 A popular comedy actor and performer who has entertainment in his DNA is poised to join the cast of this year’s Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime Cinderella.

Spamalot and Danny in Sexual Perversity in Chicago. Joe is also a familiar face on TV having played the likeable Dennis Savage in Channel Four’s popular soap Hollyoaks and appeared in a number of CBBC series including Dengineers.

Joe Tracini, the son of Joe Pasquale, will play Buttons in the festive family production which runs from December 17 to January 19.

Richard Gauntlett will bring a new twist to the role of Fairy Godmother in the show which will once again boast his on-stage flair, incredible comedy timing and ability to entertain all ages.

Two Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime favourites are also joining the cast. Richard Gauntlett will play the Fairy Godmother as well as write and direct the production.

Meanwhile the role of Baron Hardup will be played by David Gant, who will bring his enviable mix of comedy and gravitas to the part.

He is also a stalwart of The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, a highly-sought after comedian and music hall performer, and has a wide range of previous performing credits including The Lion King, Barnum, Beauty and The Beast, and Doctor Who, and has written episodes of The Sooty Show.

Born in Great Yarmouth, Joe is no stranger to the world of pantomime following his father into show-business and has starred in productions for a host of venues. He has a diverse range of other stage credits including Patsy in

Meanwhile David Gant has enjoyed a distinguished career having appeared in the likes of the premiere of An Honourable Trade for the Royal Court and other productions including the world tour of Hamlet, Coriolanus

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ICENI - NEWS Issue 71 2019

for Chichester Festival Theatre, Venice Preserved for Manchester Royal Exchange, and the UK tour of King Lear.

He also has a host of big-screen and small-screen credits including Gandhi, Victor/Victoria, Wish You Were Here, Bad Education, Holby City, Inspector Morse, and Sherlock. Away from the stage, he also enjoys a hugely successful parallel career as an international fashion model.

Richard Gauntlett is very excited about the casting news and is promising a show for all ages to enjoy. He said: “Cinderella has to be my favourite pantomime and I am very excited about what is in store. It will be very traditional, but with a new set and some added extras.

I can’t divulge any more at the moment.”

He is also thrilled to be back and have the opportunity to work with both Joe and David.

“I have known Joe for a very long time and he is one of the best comic actors I have ever seen.

He is a young guy who has comedy in his DNA. The ability to entertain has definitely not skipped a generation with Joe. He is a very funny and lovely man,” said Richard.

“He is very excited to be working here this Christmas and I have also had a phone call from his old man to say it is good news.”

Behind the scenes, the hard work is also continuing to bring in more cast-members and get the production ready for Christmas.

Richard said: “We are still casting and there are more people to announce, but this first announcement is wonderful news. Cinderella is going to be a very funny panto.”

Show Information: Cinderella, Tuesday 17 December 2019 - Sunday 19 January 2020.

Tickets £10-£25. Discounts for Over-60s, Under-18s, Groups and Schools.

To book, log onto: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call the box office on 01603 630000.

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ICENI - NEWS

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Issue 71 2019

Iconic Ballet Returns With Fresh Look And New Talent

Max Westwell as 'The Swan'.

Photo by Johan Persson

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE April 2-6, 2019

Matthew Bourne’s legendary Swan Lake returns to Norwich Theatre Royal in April with a fresh look for the 21st century.

Retaining the iconic elements of the original production loved by millions around the world, Matthew Bourne and his associate artists, award-winning designers Lez Brotherston (set and costumes) and Paule Constable (lighting), have created an exciting re-imagining of the classic production.

Swan Lake, by New Adventures, is perhaps still best known for replacing the female corps-deballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered conventions, turned tradition upside down and took the dance world by storm.

Collecting over 30 international accolades, including an Olivier Award in the UK and three Tonys on Broadway, this powerful interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is touring to 22 venues throughout the UK, landing at Norwich Theatre Royal from April 2-6.

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ICENI - NEWS

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Issue 71 2019

New Adventures’ star Will Bozier, who recently danced to great acclaim as Harry, the Pilot in Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella (including during the production’s run at Norwich Theatre Royal in February and March last year), and former English National Ballet star Max Westwell, who was recently seen in the West End in An American in Paris, are both making their debuts in the role of The Swan.

making his debut with New Adventures, alongside 20 other new dancers.

Both returning to the role of The Prince are much-loved New Adventures Principal dancers, Dominic North and Liam Mower.

That production brought together young male talent from venues’ local areas (including Norwich) to perform alongside professional dancers, and since then New Adventures has been supporting the young dancers who took part on their journey into training and professional work.

Dominic (acclaimed star of Edward Scissorhands, The Car Man, Sleeping Beauty and The Red Shoes) also entertained Norwich audiences as The Pilot in Cinderella, while Liam (who has appeared on the Theatre Royal stage many times and got his big break in the West End run of Billy Elliot ) danced as The Angel.

The Queen will be performed by two long-time New Adventures favourites, Nicole Kabera and Katrina Lyndon, who are both making their debuts in this role.

The Girlfriend will also be performed by Katrina Lyndon. She is joined by Freya Field and Carrie Willis who are both returning to the Swan Lake Company.

The Private Secretary will be played by long-time company principal Glenn Graham (recently seen as Grischa in The Red Shoes), along with Max Westwell and Ashley-Jordon Packer.

Returning to New Adventures are Tom Broderick, PJ Hurst and local dancer Alex Sturman, who hails from Taverham and started dancing as a youngster with Michala Jane School of Dance and with Stagecoach Norwich at Notre Dame School.

Another local dancer Jack William Parry, who attended Stowmarket High School and then One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, will be

Also making their New Adventures debut are Andrew Ashton from Newcastle, Isaac Bowry from Glasgow and Harry Ondrak-Wright from Birmingham, who all performed in the acclaimed New Adventures production of Lord of the Flies in 2014.

Committed to finding and developing diverse young talent from across the UK, New Adventures’ annual open auditions are attended by over 400 dancers and the company also delivers various initiatives, such as Swan School, two week-long intensives designed to prepare graduate level dancers for the audition process.

Matthew Bourne said: “With the largest cast in our repertory, Swan Lake always gives us the opportunity to bring a wealth of new talent into the company and I’m excited to welcome so many new dancers into the New Adventures family. I’m particularly thrilled to welcome cast members whose journey to this production came via our production of Lord of the Flies or through our Swan School which was designed to develop young talent for this company.”

Show Information: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Tuesday to Saturday April 2-6, 2019. Eves Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Mats Thurs & Sat 2.30pm.

Tickets £10-£45. Discounts for Friends, Over-60s, Under-18s, and Groups.

Audio-described Performance Sat 6 April, 2.30pm. For more information or to BOOK ONLINE www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk PAGE

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13

SEEWHATMUMMYSAYS

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Issue 71 2019

A Visit From The Tooth Fairy!

Our almost 7-year-old has been desperate to lose her first baby tooth. All of her friends have lost several and many of the children I care for have lost some, even though they’re younger!

She was so excited to discover that not only did she have her first wobbly tooth, but she also had her second!

The inevitable came a few weeks later after lots of wobbling, poking, pulling and twisting. She came out of school clutching a little envelope with her name on and inside her treasured tooth, accompanied by a huge grin!

That night, she wrote her letter to the tooth fairy, asking her to leave her tooth so she could keep it in a tooth box. She placed the tooth under her pillow and the note on the side. The next morning, she awoke to £2 and a letter in response from the tooth fairy herself!

She was so excited and, as soon as the other children arrived later that day, she told them all about it. We collected her that night from school but the big gappy smile we had expected wasn’t there…

“Mummy why did I get a £2 coin but **** only got 50p?” We tried to explain that maybe the tooth fairy didn’t have as much money left as lots of children had lost their teeth that night and that we had heard the first tooth is usually

worth more than the other ones. Then she said “Well then why did I only get a £2 coin but *** got £5 for her first tooth? Did she not like me as much?” Very awkward!

We had looked online on local forums to get an idea of what the ‘going rate’ is from the tooth fairy but unfortunately, everyone will never think the same… but how do you explain to a child why there is a difference? How do you keep the magic there when it is only there for such a short time anyway, but without these issues?

We contemplated discussing different monies for quality of tooth, size of tooth etc but thought this would cause more issues going forward if we weren’t consistent.

I’ve seen many discussions about parents not wanting to ‘lie’ to their children. I appreciate that everyone is entitled to raise their children as they wish, but equally is there is any harm in a little bit of magic to make these experiences for our children?

We’d love to know your thoughts!

Thank you for reading!

Becca, x www.seewhatmummysays.com @whatmummysaysuk

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NOVA SILVER

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Issue 71 2019

March At Nova Silver Are we speaking too soon if we say we can feel Spring in the air already?

The buds are popping out on the trees and everything is looking a little bit brighter. But if you are reading this as it’s pouring down with rain, feel free to let us know we were much too eager!

March brings with it Mother’s Day, a time for celebrating our mums. This year, it falls on March 31st and it’s a chance to thank the mothers in our lives for everything they do. Ask any mum what she’d most like and often you’ll find the answer is time spent with loved ones (alongside sleep and help with the laundry!), but we all know that a something she can keep is sure to be treasured.

As you might imagine, we’re big champions of jewellery as meaningful gifts, but don’t think you have to stick with traditional options - plenty of stylish jewellery can hold special meanings.

Trees can symbolise growth, strength and security - all things closely entwined with motherhood.

Our oak tree pendant is one of our most popular designs and we think it would make a really special gift to show how you value your roots.

Why not think about a sweet and simple pair of flowering stud earrings? They’re sure to last a whole lot longer than a bouquet, and will make her feel special every time she wears them.

The moon is classically a symbol of femininity and motherhood. It is thought to remind the wearer that the moon waxes and wanes, ever-changing, and yet remaining constant. It is a powerful symbol through periods of transition and reminds the wearer of where they came from and where they are going. Certainly either moonstone or a moon pendant is a brilliant choice for mothers.

Perhaps there is a symbol that is special to you and your family? We are noticing more and more of our customers are choosing non-traditional pieces to show they care.

Contact Details: Email: info@novasilver.co.uk Twitter: @icenimagazine

Visit: www.novasilver.co.uk

Telephone Trade Enquiries: 01603 305799

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ICENI - COLUMNISTS

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Issue 71 2019

Beev Vs Alexa When I announced on my Facebook author page that I had received an Amazon Echo for Christmas, team paranoia swung into action with cries of ‘Why do you want one of those? They spy on you and record your conversations.’

Ellie jumps up to investigate; eyeing Alexa with suspicion, while Lola is non-plussed, deciding whatever is meowing isn’t worth moving her fat little pussycat bottom for.

As I pointed out to the conspiracy theorists, even if that is true, it’s largely irrelevant in my house where the only chatter to be picked up is me talking to the cats and swearing loudly when I trip over my own feet. I wasn’t even bothered about asking Alexa questions and really only wanted an Echo to stream music on. Or so I thought.

Beev - (Claps hands in delight) Alexa: Simon Says, Hello, Ellie.

Above: Keri Beevis

Last night in the house of Beev (after one… okay, maybe five glasses of wine), the movie that had been playing having finished, and Ellie, Lola and Beev all far too lazy to get up from the sofa, this exchange happened.

Beev - Alexa: Tell Ellie and Lola what pretty girls they are.

Alexa - (Starts playing some random song I’ve never heard of).

Beev - Alexa: What the bloody hell is that?

Alexa - (Adopting an admonishing tone) I am not prepared to answer that!

Beev - (Having investigated and finding out that Alexa will repeat you if you say ‘Simon Says’ first) Alexa Simon Says, Hello, Lola.

Alexa - Hello, Lola.

Alexa - Hello, Eli. Beev - That’s not her bloody name! (Carefully enunciating every word) Alexa: Simon Says Hello, ELLIE. Alexa - Hello, Eli. Ellie looks rather annoyed.

Beev - Alexa: Play Lola.

Alexa starts playing Lola by The Kinks.

Beev - Listen, Lola, they’re playing your song.

Lola purrs in excitement at hearing her song. Ellie looks even more annoyed.

Beev - Sorry, Ellie, I’m afraid you don’t have a song.

This doesn’t appease her. Beev scratches head. We have to rectify this.

Beev - Alexa: Are there any songs called Ellie?

Alexa - Sorry, I can’t find any songs called Eli.

Beev - (Feeling contrite) Alexa: I’m sorry I swore at you.

Damn it, Alexa!

Alexa - That’s alright.

1. Alexa + wine = an author who needs to get a life.

Beev - Alexa: Meow meow!

2. Alexa can’t pronounce Ellie’s name.

Alexa - (Activating the new kitty chat app I found) Meow, meow, purr!

3. Ellie doesn’t particularly like Alexa and will likely pee on her at some point.

So what exactly have we learnt from this exchange?

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MOTORING REVIEW

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Issue 71 2019

New Toyota Corolla 2019 Reviewed

By Motoring Journalist, Tim Barnes-Clay Twitter @carwriteups | Instagram @tbarnesclay It is good to see the designation ‘Corolla’ return. It conjures up words such as ‘reliability’ and ‘trustworthiness’, and now, ‘eco-friendly’ will be added to the inventory. Why? Well, the model is mainly being offered with electrified powertrains, including the 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid, under the spotlight here. The overall power is 121ps, pushing the automobile from 0-62mph in 10.9s and giving it an all-out speed of 112mph.

It is not speedy, but that’s not the point of the Corolla. Efficiency is the motivation instead, with the Toyota doing around 55mpg to 65mpg, and releasing CO2 emissions from 73g/km.

Behind the wheel, the Corolla in 1.8 hybrid semblance is a mixed bag; you can feel the chassis’ low centre of gravity, especially in corners where body roll is all but non-existent.

It is also biddable on all but the most scarred of surfaces. However, the driving experience is not absorbing at all. Then there’s the CVT transmission. This has been upgraded, but it’s still piercing - emitting the kind of hum you get from car games on an Xbox or PlayStation.

But the Toyota is acquiescent around town, where a methodical driving manner will enable you to move about without using much more than a teaspoon or two of fuel. And, if you’re patient, the new Corolla becomes an unruffled cruiser at motorway speeds.

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MOTORING REVIEW

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Issue 71 2019

Inside, there’s a bountiful amount of cushioned materials and a logical facia. The rear of the car isn’t that roomy, but it’s around the same as you’ll find in an Astra or Focus. Raise the hatch, and the boot isn’t that voluminous, either. There’s 361-litres of cargo capacity on the 1.8 Corolla, which, granted, is slightly bigger than the Ford Focus’ boot, but it’s still nearly 100-litres less than the load space in Skoda’s impending Scala model.

Meanwhile, even though Toyota has piled the new Corolla’s cabin with technology, such as an easy-to-read eight-inch infotainment system, there’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration. The interface is also a bit behind the times, and the sat-nav is slow on the uptake.

Nonetheless, the modern Toyota Corolla is the best hatchback to come from the Japanese carmaker for yonks. The build quality is sturdy, and it delivers a comfortable ride, along with confidence-engendering handling. Sure, 2019’s Corolla has a fistful of flaws, but they’re paltry enough for buyers to be charmed by the model’s negligible CO2 emissions and resulting low running costs.

Pros ‘n’ Cons • • • • • •

Efficiency ✔ Handling ✔ Comfort ✔ No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto ✘ Slow ✘ Noisy transmission ✘

Fast Facts

(Corolla 1.8 Hybrid CVT Design Hatchback) • Max speed: 112 mph • 0-62 mph: 10.9 seconds • Combined MPG: 55.4mpg • Engine layout: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrolelectric hybrid • Max. power (PS): 121 • CO2: 83g/km • Price: £25,825 PAGE

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THE GADGET MAN

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Issue 71 2019

Vehicle Tracking Gadgets - Part 1

Ctrack Plug And Play From Zest Tracking In the last issue, I talked about a very cool gadget that, when plugged into your cars OBD2 port, allowed you to display detailed information about your car in real-time.

This month is the first of two reviews looking at some vehicle tracking solutions, which again plug into your vehicles ODB2 port, but this time are primarily aimed at companies looking to track their fleets of vehicles.

The first of these devices is the Ctrack Plug and Play Vehicle Tracker kindly supplied to me by Zest Tracking.

The Ctrack tracker is a very compact device, which plugs into your vehicles onboard diagnostic port, the device is designed to monitor the vehicles use and with the combination of both GPS and Cellular data (in the form of a built-in SIM card).

The preconfigured device is simply plugged into the vehicle's OBD2 port and immediately begins logging the position and speed of the vehicle. It also detects if the device becomes unplugged and if so, will continue to monitor the position of the vehicle using an onboard battery. As well as tracking the vehicle, other information is also sent to Ctrack’s servers; information such

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THE GADGET MAN

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Issue 71 2019

as over-revving, over-idling, heavy breaking is logged as well as warnings such as speeding and the likelihood of the vehicle being towed or transported.

The Ctrack is aimed specifically at businesses who want to monitor their vehicle assets and of course, driver behaviour can affect the value of these assets if vehicles are not driven appropriately or respected, so it provides a cost-effective solution to protecting vehicle investment.

At the business end of the system is the extremely detailed reporting systems. I have been testing the Ctrack for some months and I am able to see how many miles I have driven over that period, times when my vehicle has been over-revved, the maximum speed I have driven during that period and my average speed.

The reporting system displays a breath-taking number of reports that I can run to analyse the drivers within my fleet from ‘Speed Violation’ reports right through to ‘Movement Reports’, which shows when vehicles exceed rev limits, freewheel, harsh acceleration, engine stop etc.

For a business running a fleet of vehicles, this will provide them with enormous amounts of data which will very quickly highlight when a vehicle could be over-used, under-used or sadly misused.

Although the device could be used as a stolen vehicle tracking device, this isn’t the primary aim. Such trackers are normally hidden

deep inside a vehicle in order to stop thieves discovering them. In this case, the device is simply plugged into a very accessible OBD2 port, such that a would-be thief would simply unplug it and throw it out of the window!

Instead, this is a low-cost device aimed specifically at the companies looking to manage their vehicles and as such, it seems to do a great job!

The back-end management system is very comprehensive and thus quite complicated, but the data displayed in the reporting is surprisingly detailed and certainly made me think about my driving style over the time I’ve been testing it.

If you have business running vehicles and might consider such a system, I would recommend contacting Dominic or Reg at www.zesttracking.co.uk Next month, I will be looking at Quartix Vehicle Tracker.

Review By Matt Porter The Gadget Man www.thegadgetman.org.uk PAGE

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MORTALITY MOTIVATION

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Issue 71 2019

Mortality Motivation: Why You Should Start With The End In Mind If you knew the date of your death, would you live your life differently?

I don’t know if that sounds like a bleak question to you but, to be absolutely clear, I don’t see it that way at all. I see it as a galvanising positive.

Realising that we are not immortal is a great leveller, a reality check that we all need to embrace in order to maximise our time on planet Earth, no matter how old or young we are.

Each of us is born with the potential to achieve greatness. But many of us do not realise our full potential. Instead, some people go through life with an aching feeling that they haven’t lived life to the full, that they’re now too old or have wasted too much time, or perhaps have tried and failed and don’t feel they have the time, energy, belief or confidence left to try again.

Whilst you have absolutely no control over the length of your life, you do have absolute control over its breadth and depth. You have the power to ensure that you make every day, every minute and every interaction count. So don’t waste your energy sweating the small stuff.

All of this takes to the idea that we should make the most of our time on this earth and get the most out of each of our days ahead. But how many days do you have exactly? And what does it matter if you squander some and only make the most of a few?

I’ve come up with this simple exercise to get you to start thinking with the end in mind.

Based on the average life expectancy where you live, how many days do you have left?

(To find the specific life expectancy for where you live, simply type into your search engine and then do the simple calculation.)

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MORTALITY MOTIVATION

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Issue 71 2019

Then, with that number, ask yourself the following:

How good is the trade of time you’re making each and every day?

How good is the trade of time you’re making each and every day?

Are you happy with the trade?

If the answer to question 2 is yes, then keep doing what you’re doing. But if it’s no, what do you need to do differently or how do you need to change the way you’re thinking about things in your life right now?

Let’s make sure every day is a good trade.

Now imagine a standard tape measure (or use a real one if you have one to hand). You’ll want one that is at least as long as your average life expectancy in centimetres, where one centimetre represents one year. Open the tape measure at the point where you discovered the life expectancy for a person of your gender, in the country where you live, for example 79 years equals 79 centimetres.

Using the tape measure, the next step is to wind back your age from your life expectancy, so you are only showing the years left ahead of you.

For example, if your life expectancy is 79 and your age is 42, then you will have 37 years left or 37cm showing on the tape measure.

Now, since we need to sleep for roughly eight hours per day, or one-third of each 24-hour cycle, we must also ‘delete’ that time from the years we have left. So wind the tape measure in once again. How many centimetres are now left?

the big important things are usually the small, seemingly unimportant things that you put off while you get on with your life or don’t pay attention to because you’re too ‘busy’. These are simple things such as cuddling your little girl or boy, playing with your dog in the garden, going for a walk and enjoying the sunshine.

I hope it’s now clear to you that mortality motivation isn’t depressing or bleak; it’s a rallying cry for you to get out there and do something remarkable with your life. And it’s a warning that you ought to start doing that right now.

Royston Guest (pictured below) is a leading authority on growing businesses and unlocking people potential. Entrepreneur, author of #1 best-seller Built to Grow and new book RISE: Start living the life you were meant to lead.

It’s an indication of the time each of us has left to achieve our goals, pursue our dreams and live the life we want to live. That’s the time we have left to ensure our obituary is the one we want people to read.

A few days lost here and there because of a lack of focus may not appear to matter, except that those are days you can’t take back. In the end, PAGE

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NIBBLES & TIPPLES

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Issue 71 2019

Nibbles &Tipples March Article By Cheryl Cade Norwich and Norfolk have been rather full of Tipples this month with the Great British Beer Festival (Winter) at St Andrews Hall for the last time before it moves to Birmingham.

1) Appearance: How does the beer look? Is it clear? The brightness of the colour? Is the head loose, tight, large or in some cases non-existent?

All those hard-working volunteers can now rest for a few weeks before planning the next beer festival in October. The GBBFW being held in Norwich meant that some members of the trade, the local tasting panel and a few national judges (including myself) were invited to judge the Champion Beer Of Britain (Winter). To do this, it, of course, requires the beer festival to have all of the beers voted for by the various tasting panels across the country.

3) Taste: When tasting beer, cover all your mouth with it and then, unlike wine, swallow.

Ask yourself, does the taste reflect the aroma? is there, malt, bitterness, sweetness?

But how do we judge a beer ‘CAMRA’ style (the principles are the same for most competitions)?

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2) Aroma: We do this with little sniffs. What can we pick out? Malt, hops, yeast any off flavours like butter?

4) Aftertaste: Does the bitterness or honey linger on your tongue? Is the beer thin, thick or grainy?

All of the above is marked out of 10 with the Taste doubled.

Finally, we have to consider if the beer is to style?

For this, we refer to the individual styles anyone

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can access via the central CAMRA website, so the next time you have a beer, go on, try judging it.

In case you missed it, the Champion Winter Beer of Britain was, once again, one of our local breweries, Lacons’ Brewery's Audit Ale. Closely followed by 2 porters, Calverley’s and Harviestoun’s Old Engine Oil.

Now for a little bit of a nibble.

I have walked and driven past this place for ages, each time my husband turns to me and says, ‘I’d love to go there.’ This Valentines he got his wish.

Issue 71 2019

it melted. The little nuggets of dumplings were well cooked and seasoned. There was no room for dessert (although they looked delicious) so it was a great excuse to try the Hungarian spirit, which was warming and delicately flavoured with cherries.

My only issue was they were all kept warm on a shelf. Either way, my husband is now planning a reason for us to return.

Cheers Cheryl

The Goulash House, at the top of St Stephens Street (Norwich), serves traditional Hungarian food.

The menu is also accompanied by regional wine and spirits nestled amongst the expected tipples or pay corkage fee and bring your own. The food takes me back to my childhood, little dumplings with a hearty stew was my dish of choice. The soft flaky chicken was wrapped in a rich sauce of paprika, pepper and mushroom, slowly cooked Twitter: @icenimagazine

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For more information

Email: Cheryl@thirstconsultants.com Follow: @ThirstBeers Visit: www.thirstconsultants.com

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25

AGENT SHAVE

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Issue 71 2019

Agent Shave: Goes Undercover Our mission at Agent Shave is to bring you the very best in artisan wet shaving, so we have gone undercover with British shaving soap makers Phoenix and Beau as they launch their new shaving soap ‘Iceni’ Phoenix and Beau The Burrows family live in Hitchin, North Hertfordshire. They are Kerry (Dad), Sarah (Mum), Isla (6yrs) and Sanna (3yrs). They are avid lovers of the outdoors; when they are not working for Phoenix and Beau you will find them walking, running, riding the

trails of the Chiltern Hills. Kerry is ex-British Army and Sarah used to work in London as an architectural illustrator.

What do they have for breakfast? Well it is never skipped! Porridge, toast, weetabix and fruit (and lots of coffee!) are the usual staples for this part of their day.

Kerry began traditional wet shaving circa 2014 and really it was an exercise in curiosity and seeking a better alternative to cartridge razors and the ubiquitous shaving foam. From that point he discovered the sheer variety and

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AGENT SHAVE

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Issue 71 2019

depth of options and was captured by the quality, durability and presentation of wet shaving accessories.

The shaving soap journey Soap making began the following year (2015) and was again the result of inquisitiveness.

Kerry wanted to understand what he was putting on to and in to his skin and so began a study in to ingredients and soap formulas. He loved science and chemistry at school and that married well with his love of cooking (akin to making soap) and art.

Phoenix & Beau want to encourage environmental awareness over the immensely wasteful and damaging practice of using plastics as part of product production and respective grooming practices.

The perfect Phoenix and Beau lather Pour a small amount of warm water to the top of any Phoenix and Beau shaving soap that you are using. This is called blooming, Kerry usually lets his soap bloom whilst having a shower.

Then decant that (bloom) water in to your palm and rub that in to your face; it's after that point that you would use a well soaked brush to build a storm of a lather. Phoenix and

Beau shaving soap likes water, don't be shy, get it in there and watch it explode!

Iceni Shaving Soap The inspiration for the new shaving soap Iceni was to identify our regional ancestry to our customers and tap in to the rich imagery of early British history. We wanted to marry a bold visual design with a sensual scent profile and use an accord that exhibits notes of mandarin, vanilla, bergamot, lemon, sandalwood, jasmine, cedar, musk, resin, vetiver and incense.

Iceni will be available as a tallow based shaving soap, alcohol-based aftershave splash and post shave lotion will be available through Agent Shave from Tuesday 5th March - this eagerly awaited shaving soap is small batch, if you miss out on the first batch, don’t worry agents, the second batch will follow shortly!

Phoenix and Beau wish to thank all of their customers who have helped them get this far we at Agent Shave are proud to be supporting a truly British brand!

Thank you to Kerry and Sarah for allowing us to come undercover into the world of Phoenix and Beau.

Over.

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Focus On:

Mental Health & Well-being

ANXIETY ATTACKS

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Issue 71 2019

3 Grounding Techniques To Try To Alleviate Anxiety Attacks Anxiety attacks can be extremely If you are still feeling very anxious, repeat until you are filled with a sense of calm. debilitating.

Contrary to popular belief, largely compounded by the way they are portrayed on television, panic attacks are not always visible to the people around the sufferer.

Indeed, they can be internal, silent to the onlooker, yet deafening to the one experiencing it. Grounding techniques can help to ease the panic.

If you suffer from anxiety attacks, try the following:

Find the rainbow Look around you. What can you see that is red?

Is there anything orange? Keep going through the colours of the rainbow until you get to violet.

Five Senses Look around you. Find 5 things that you can see, 4 things that you can touch, 3 things that you can hear, 2 things that you can smell and 1 thing that you can/could taste. Repeat as often as is necessary.

Categories A to Z Pick a category e.g. films, books, TV shows, singers. Try to go through the alphabet thinking of things that belong in that category.

For example, Britpop - A - Ash, B - Blur, C - Catatonia, D - Dodgy. If you get through the alphabet quickly and are still feeling far too wound up, try to go as far through it again with the same category.

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DEAL WITH YOUR...

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Issue 71 2019

Deal With Your Anger Issues Have you ever seen a child eagerly awaiting their absentee parent who's coming to take them for a play date?

Far better to learn to deal with emotive situations calmly and rationally, rather than let our feelings dictate and get the better of us.

When faced with the dawning realisation that the parent is not coming, the child may become defensive or hurt, angrily crying that they hate that parent and wouldn't have gone with them anyway! Is that the truth?

When we find ourselves constantly resorting to anger, unable to deal well with conflict or disappointment, we need to concern ourselves with finding other ways to resolve and sort out our anger issues.

Of course not, they're merely trying to cover up their disappointment and feelings of rejection in order to recover quickly and conceal their distress. Anger is often an alternative to crying or grief and can help us move forward from feeling vulnerable.

Anger can manifest itself in several ways.

As an adult, we hope to deal with our anger issues and move onto more effective ways of communicating our feelings. We start to see anger as an unhelpful, inelegant way of conveying our hurt or displeasure and quickly learn that it doesn't resolve matters.

It often simply prevents us from moving on.

• We can be angry with ourselves, feel unworthy, unattractive, unintelligent and follow through with damaging, destructive behaviour like self-harm, bad habits, negative self-talk, so ruining any chance of success with our manner, attitude and approach.

People with serious self-anger issues may set themselves gruelling challenges, never feel they've achieved enough or in the right way.

Then they punish themselves further with a binge, purge or self-discipline regime.

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DEAL WITH YOUR...

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Issue 71 2019

• Other people can provoke our anger if we feel 'it's all right for them'! In those instances, other people may be seen as especially gifted, advantaged or lucky, thus meaning that they have better or unfair chances of good fortune.

• We can be angry at situations and blame our circumstances for our lack of success; they're the reason things don't work out well.

You'll hear, 'it's not fair', 'if only', 'I can't start until that's sorted'.

• Inanimate objects can bear the brunt of our anger too. People may kick, throw, stamp on and destroy objects due to their anger. Those items may even get the blame for things not working out!

Some tips to help you deal with your anger issues.

• Start to recognise the triggers, those situations where you find yourself losing control and becoming angry. Is it a look that you've received, a raised eyebrow, a shrug or smirk when you've spoken? Is it being ignored or not allowed to speak? Notice what sparks you off.

your desired outcome is. For example, if your car broke down on your way to an important meeting you could kick it, damage it in frustration, but it wouldn't solve anything and seeing the damage afterwards would probably make you feel worse. Far better to stay calm and identify what needs to happen to remedy the situation as positively as possible.

• If a relationship is causing you anger issues you could suggest meeting to discuss them. Set a mutually convenient time. A public place can be good as it ensures communication remains civil in tone. Try to identify key areas of upset and own your feelings. Rather than accuse with, 'you make me feel', it's far better to prompt a discussion with, 'when this happens I feel'.

• Avoid lots of examples. They can hi-jack a conversation and rarely achieve anything useful, as you can get side-tracked. Examples seldom help to move the situation along.

• Appreciate that others' reactions are not necessarily about you. There may be times when your behaviour, comment or body language affects the recipient in a provocative way, but we can never really know what's going on in someone else's mind or life. It's important to be respectful and allow all points of view to be heard.

• Ascertain the facts first. Stay calm and ask questions. Find out what's going on, what prompted their words or behaviour. Listen properly and with genuine interest. Avoid second-guessing, finishing their sentences or getting your reply ready before they've finished speaking.

• Respond rather than react. Consider each situation and what you want to achieve, what PAGE

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DEAL WITH YOUR...

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Issue 71 2019

• Alternatively, writing a letter can be a good way to communicate your feelings. Take as long as necessary to process your thoughts, so you're clear about what you want and need to say. It may take days or even weeks so that you're finally happy with the content and tone.

This can be an effective way of dealing with someone who's disappeared from your life.

Then when it's finished, you can either mail it or have a ritual to signify that this phase of your life is finally over.

• A journal can equally be used to write down and work through angry and painful emotions, sometimes being kept in conjunction with counselling and hypnotherapy. Use effective methods to help you understand what the anger's about, what's been causing it. Those insights can improve your ability to communicate your feelings.

• Learning to communicate well can be a difficult process if good communications were not a part of your early years. Some families learned to keep quiet for fear of upsetting a volatile or easily upset family member. Or if a partner is perceived as being intelligent or eloquent, who twists whatever's said so that problems are your fault, it can become easier to stay mute. But anger can then erupt as frustration, often over small and trivial things.

• Set your own boundaries in place, so you protect yourself and are aware of what you will and won't tolerate. This allows you to gradually

communicate how you feel effectively. You've learned not to inflame the situation, yet are able to be firm, fair and clear, keen to empathise and resolve any issues.

• Recognise the part that stress may play in your anger, your warning signs of being tired, irritable, not sleeping well. Let your partner know what you're going through.

Good communications can play a major role in helping to deal with your anger issues. Let those closest support you at difficult times.

And remember, once said, things cannot be unsaid. They may be understood and even forgiven, but hurtful, angry words are often difficult to forget.

Article By Susan Leigh Susan Leigh, Altrincham Counsellor and Hypnotherapist, has published her third book, 101 Days of Inspiration #tipoftheday (ISBN 9781910275160) based on her social media series. A glossy, pocket-sized book, it's full of inspirational quotes & pictures, a treat to give or simply keep for yourself.

For more information visit: www.lifestyletherapy.net PAGE

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MOTHERHOOD

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Issue 71 2019

My Mental Health Roller-Coaster Ride Called Motherhood

The moment I became a mum was both a beautiful blessing and an overwhelming sense of responsibility, with my first thought being "what do I do with her now?"

Throughout trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour and birth, thoughts are based around loving expectations, hope and love (even during the times of pain, us child-birthing women are promising ourselves that it will all be worth it when the baby is born - for that prize we get at the end!).

However, for the majority of new mums, there is a void left once our child has arrived as we are unable to bridge the gap between expectations and reality, with sleepless nights, exhaustion, sick, leaking breasts, bleeding and such like being all those things that we never get a full insight into until we actually have our own baby.

I had the most joyous pregnancy with my first child (Ella, now 6), but the most horrendous labour, which lasted 6 long days in scorching

Summer heat, and pushed body to the max in terms of my pain threshold (which I had always considered to be quite high!).

After this long week, I had a fairly straight forward and quick waterbirth and after an overnight stay and little difficulties with breastfeeding, my new addition and I were discharged from hospital and sent home.

Matthew, my husband, was absolutely incredible and with his support the first few weeks, while he was off on paternity leave, even though we were utterly tired, it was a doddle.

But once he was back at work and routine set in, things turned quite sour. I was always a career-focused woman up to that point and enjoyed the thrill and challenge of the working environment, so becoming a stay at home mum, only communicating with adults for a maximum of a few hours per week and having to rely on public transport at the time, left me feeling bored, isolated and quite depressed.

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MOTHERHOOD

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Issue 71 2019

Looking into my new baby's deep blue eyes, I was absolutely head over heels in love with her, but my heart felt broken as I resented her for the life I was now trapped in.

All day, everyday, I clock-watched until Matthew came home from work, and the days seemed so long inside the house with just the dog and new-born for company.

I didn't let on that I was this miserable at the time, and even though my mum visited as often as she could, I used I sob after she had left as would again be counting down the minutes until I had proper human interaction again.

Luckily after 6 months, I started to feel better from visiting mother and baby groups, doing activities with other mums and kids, and getting a lot of fresh air in the Spring and Summer, and realised that so many new mums feel this way right after having their baby.

With the impact of hormones, lack of sleep, pain from childbirth, struggles with breastfeeding, boredom of homelife, pressure of chores, lack of money, judgement from others, along with that intense feeling that I was never good enough, becoming a mum seemed an uphill struggle, but it got easier once I realised that I wasn't the only one who had these feelings and pressures.

I am glad to say that, even though I had an awful pregnancy and birth with my second child (Alfie now 2), I didn't have the same negative feelings of post-natal depression that time around as I knew whenever I felt a little low I just needed to reach out and talk to other mum friends about it.

This is why I took over NorfolkMums.com in 2018, as I was keen to develop it into a platform where local mums could connect, support and empower one another, as well as share their experiences of motherhood (like the one I have told you here) and also have some fun too!

By creating an open forum for mums in Norfolk to be themselves without judgement, plus join in with events to educate, support and bring them together means for a much happier mum, thus much happier children and family environment.

You have probably heard the saying "happy wife, happy life" - well at Norfolk Mums, we favour the saying "happy mother, happier altogether."

Article by Serena Fordham, Owner of Norfolk Mums If you are a mum in Norfolk please join our Facebook community and find out more about our events and meet ups through our website: www.norfolkmums.com.

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CANCER PERFECT

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Issue 71 2019

Cancer Perfect:

Are we putting women under pressure to be ‘perfect’ through cancer?

When I was going through cancer treatment, I was doing everything I could to cover up what was actually happening.

From my wig to drawing on eyebrows, chemotherapy had taken every single hair on my body. I bought new clothes and when out and about, I looked good. Not that I really managed to hide what was going on. Far from it.

Some people guessed, some people can spot a wig from far away, others just figured something was up.

And bless my little girls, their young age meant that they were oblivious to the fact that I tried to look as ‘normal’ as possible. My twin girls were 2 at that time, my older daughter was 4.

I remember once, when I went swimming in a lake on holiday, one of the girls called ‘mummy, just don’t go diving as your wig might fall off!’.

You can only imagine the many heads that turned. Or my older daughter telling all her friends in reception that ‘my mummy never washes her hair, she wears a wig!’. I can only imagine the rumours that were going round the school at that time. But people were brilliant.

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CANCER PERFECT

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Everyone let me do just what felt right for me then, there was no pressure.

Until I was ready… and then I spoke up. And spoke up I did! And still do.

Issue 71 2019

Unrealistic expectations will, can, and most often do lead to disappointment. I am good enough just the way I am. What’s really helped me to work towards cultivating this inner kindness is an active and healthy way of living.

Today, more than five years on, I still talk about my cancer journey. I openly speak, blog and share on social media about the pain, the ups and the downs. Because for too long I did not say anything. Whilst I was going through it all, I felt immense pressure to manage life and all the complications, worries and turmoil that come with a cancer diagnosis just perfectly. The term ‘thriving through cancer’ still bothers me today.

There were times I just about managed to get out of bed and do the bare minimum, yet, was I expected to thrive through times like these?

How? No chance! People are often encouraged to run marathons, walk up mountains and raise lots of money. All whilst perhaps holding down a job, raising a family and looking good at the same time.

But I have learned. I believe that in most cases, these expectations come from nowhere else but oneself. My family, friends and community didn’t need or want me to be or do anything special.

They just wanted to be there for me and support me. It was my own expectations mounting up to pressures to ‘be perfect’ throughout and beyond a very difficult time in my life. Just like many women believe they must do anything possible to have a natural birth. That they failed if they didn’t manage to breastfeed. Those too are expectations we have of ourselves.

All my recipes, which I share on my blog, are easy and quick to make so that I can make tasty and healthy food for my family - in a realistic and everyday kind of way. So that I don’t have to disappoint myself. Simple breathing and mindfulness exercises keep me calm, entered and grounded. These definitely help me be and become the woman, mother, daughter, friend and wife I want to be. The next time you think ‘I should be doing this or that’ ask yourself if this is really an expectation placed on you by your surrounding or is it an expectation you place on yourself? In which case, reply with kindness and understanding and talk to yourself just like you would talk to the person you love the most.

If I spoke to close friends of mine, I would always be much kinder and more re-assuring.

But no. Speaking to myself sounds very different. Much tougher, less forgiving and more demanding. And this too I have learned, or I should rather say I am still learning.

To treat myself just like I would treat my best friend. To be kind to myself, to encourage myself daily and to keep my expectations real.

Article By Dani Binnington @ Healthy Whole Me Dani Binnington runs wellbeing blog www.healthywholeme.com, which is full of delicious recipes, wellbeing tips and inspiration for a healthy lifestyle.

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TO MY HUSBAND...

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Issue 71 2019

To My Husband…

I’m Sorry Post-natal depression affects more than 1 in 10 mothers according to the NHS.

While the baby blues are expected up to around two weeks after giving birth, post-natal depression can go on for much longer, though it may not begin straight away with some ladies experiencing symptoms up to a year after birth. After the birth of her second child, Stephanie suffered with post-natal depression and felt as though she was failing her husband. She has bravely shared this beautiful, honest letter she penned to him during this difficult time.

To my husband… I’m sorry

By Stephanie Taylor

I'm sorry for the mess I am and spreading all my woes.

I'm sorry that I despise myself from my head down to my toes.

I'm sorry that I don't seem to be the perfect little wife, I know I should be more grateful for our not so perfect life.

I'm sorry that I used to be so happy and such fun, this anxious sadness I have instead really weighs a ton.

I don't know who I am anymore I feel so very lost, our beautiful rays of sunshine have come at quite a cost.

I'm sorry that I'm always sorry for being like I am.

This thing called "mental illness" was not part of the plan.

I'm sorry that I cry so much. I know it never seems to stop, but I am hoping one of these days I can climb back to the top.

I'm sorry that I over think and over analyse.

I know you find it difficult to hear my tears and cries.

I'm sorry that I show the world the side without the creases and you’re the one that sees the cracks and picks up all the pieces.

Through all the gloom and darkness I'll endeavour to look for stars and when I find myself again I hope to stop the "blahs".

I know at times it seems like I'm so miserable and hateful, but you need to know for you and them I am so very grateful.

The love I feel for you, you know, I really can't describe, you make me feel more human and like I don't have to hide.

You to me are everything, without you I would never cope, you and them (our family) is what will always give me hope.

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OPEN LETTER TO...

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Issue 71 2019

Open Letter To An Anxiety Sufferer I’m so sorry to hear that you are struggling with very difficult feelings of anxiety, after hearing this I felt moved to write to you - in the hope that sharing my experience and journey I could in some small way be of help.

I am writing because I have experienced anxiety in a way that was very overwhelming. I found leaving the house by myself just too scary, but now I am doing public speaking and am doing a higher-level degree - so, I want to give you hope that getting through it and succeeding is possible. It takes time, courage (which I know you have) and tiny, tiny steps.

I think I will start by describing where I was, what I learned about anxiety and about the little tiny steps that I took to worth through it.

What anxiety was like for me.

Okay - at my worst, I can remember the almost crippling feeling that came with my anxiety, sweating palms, sick stomach, racing heart, and struggling for breath - the feeling of wanting to hide, shame that I felt so terrible and desperate to curl up into a ball. I remember not feeling safe, almost as if I was hitting a wall I could not get through. I remember the feeling of shame that came with that, the feeling that I was PAGE

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OPEN LETTER TO...

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Issue 71 2019

failing, the feeling that I was not good enough and the feeling that I was a total failure and that other people could see all of that and thought I was no good.

Learning about anxiety.

One of the first things I did, which really helped me, was to learn about anxiety. I found out that anxiety comes from the fight or flight reaction it was originally designed to help our ancestors run away from or fight a fierce creature that wanted to eat them! In a situation of real danger, the body needs the muscles to react quickly, needs extra oxygen - so you breathe more and blood goes from your stomach to your muscles - which means you might shake and your stomach feels funny. I felt sick, I used to shake, I felt like I couldn’t breathe - it did feel so frightening. However, I realised something - anxiety is actually a biological reaction - the intention of which is not to do harm - but to try and keep me safe!

The problem is that anxiety is like a little caveman; he does not understand the modern world. Anxiety reacts to a troublesome thought in the same way that it responds to a big snarling creature with sharp teeth that genuinely would be a threat to life! I imagine anxiety as a little caveman in my head - pressing the alarm button whenever he perceives danger - when I worry that people don’t like me, that I will make a fool of myself or if I become afraid of having a panic attack. I started to think of anxiety as a wellmeaning friend, who is trying to keep me safe and doesn’t mean to cause me harm.

One thing I found is that anxiety can learn.

I remember the process of leaving the house by myself - the first time, it was so overwhelming - but I learned to breathe through the fear and praise myself for even taking a few steps outside. I also found that each time I did it, the feelings of fear got less and less strong! It took time - and then, without realising it, I became able to do it. My little caveman was learning that PAGE

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OPEN LETTER TO...

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Issue 71 2019

they had been wrong about how dangerous the outside world is! I used that learning to transfer to other areas of my life - I started questioning my thinking - looking at the evidence and realising that people did not hate me because I was anxious.

These things really helped me too: Getting enough sleep - hard sometimes, but I could think more clearly when I managed.

Exercise - going for a walk or run stimulates body chemicals that make me feel better.

Talking about how I feel - cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helped me a lot (I will talk about this a bit later too).

Realising that so many other people feel anxious - so I’m not a freak - it’s actually a normal part of human experience.

Eating a good diet that keeps blood sugar levels even - foods that were high in processed sugar made me feel worse and being too hungry made my anxiety worse too, so being somewhere in the middle was helpful.

Now, here is a science bit - I am studying for a Masters in Psychology - I have just written an essay about CBT, let me share with you what I have found - I really hope it might help.

There is a part in your brain called the Amygdala (sort of where the caveman lives!) - it is the part that detects threats. In people who have anxiety, this part gets activated more strongly than in people who don’t. But here is the really good news! That can change - each time I stepped out of the house, my amygdala would have responded less strongly - like the volume turning down bit by bit. Literally, by taking small steps to challenge my fear, I was changing my brain! There is really good evidence that interventions like CBT and taking small steps to challenge anxiety can change how responsive the amygdala is. The evidence comes from

experiments where they scan people’s brains before and after receiving a few weeks of the therapy. So, there is huge potential for growth and change, and for things to get better!

Another thing that helped me was understanding how anxiety shaped how I saw the world.

Psychology experiments show that anxiety impacts on how people perceive other people’s facial expressions; they are more likely to see neutral expressions as being hostile. This means when I was anxious in a social situation, I would see people as being hostile, unkind and I would think they disliked me, but it was my anxious brain tricking me. The people were not thinking badly of me, and learning that really helped.

I know that anxiety is a dark place, but please believe that you have potential - that this is not a forever feeling - the experience will make you wise. It will make you kind and sensitive towards others, and maybe one day, you will be the one writing a letter to someone to help them move into the kind of positive future that I have no doubt you will one day find yourself in.

I don’t know what your first tiny step will be - but whatever your journey, you deserve so much kindness and compassion - and from my experience, living with anxiety is an act of courage in itself. Keep going - I totally believe in you!

Much love, Vicky PAGE

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MENTAL HEALTH

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Issue 71 2019

Children's Mental Health A quick Internet search of children’s mental health shows many articles referring to young adolescents, small charities trying to tackle the issue and numbers to call for support.

To me, it feels like the awareness of mental health being of importance is on the increase with campaigns such as #timetotalk and #itsoktosay circulating for the past few years.

What concerns me is that more and more cases of poor mental health is being seen in those far younger than ever before, and that, as yet,

a national strategy hasn't trickled down to the front lines in order to be able to support those children and families suffering or those working close to these families.

NHS figures show one in eight people under age of 19 in England had a disorder in 2017. A figure that is just a tip of an iceberg considering that figure only reflects those who have accessed care, been diagnosed and have been reached in the survey sample. What's more, we all know that we are stretching those who have the most influence on these lives the very most.

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MENTAL HEALTH

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It shouldn't be news to anyone that our NHS, social care and education systems are underfunded and understaffed. Many families simply don't access support because it is so overrun. Our tick box society makes referral time-consuming and full of barriers, so before stigma and attitudes have even been considered, many families simply give up and don't access the support they so desperately need.

A well-seen example of this was a video on social media that circulated not too long ago, of an 8-year-old girl who was at crisis point, yet the time it was taking to access help for her and her family had left her unable to live a 'normal' life and she was seen as not requiring immediate intervention. This is exactly the point that most intervention should be targeted.

Children with unaddressed mental health issues could easily become young adolescents and young adults without the tools for mental well-being, who are then one step removed from services without a daily education professional who can raise red flags.

As I began my career as a primary school teacher, children suffering from mental health issues were far more prevalent than I ever expected. Many more children are learning the hard way about mental health issues, witnessing and sometimes supporting a close family member suffering from poor mental health themselves.

In just 3 years, I encountered 5-7-year olds that were hearing disturbing violent voices, expressing multiple personas, having suicidal thoughts (one child even sadly making an attempt), intentionally harming themselves, controlling their food intake for fear of gaining weight, and another making themselves sick.

All the while, relying upon my instincts to respond to situations as training in such issues is, again, hard to access, and my skill set and training doesn't extend that far. One of the

Issue 71 2019

many reasons I have now left teaching is because of the feeling of being totally inadequate and unable to provide the help to those children and their families, time and time again coming up against barriers and time constraints that meant I was just another individual unable to help.

In a world where funding, staff and resources aren't an issue, then equipping front line staff (NHS, education, social care etc) and families with one quick, effective system to refer these children themselves would be ideal.

Further education and awareness of improving mental health in the youngest age bracket will have a knock-on effect as those children grow up into young adults, who then become parents more equipped with strategies to face challenges to their or their children's mental well-being and the knowledge of a system to go to if they encounter a situation beyond their coping systems.

In a world where funding, staff, expertise, awareness and resources are stretched to their maximum, there is much that needs to be done.

Finding people with the heart to make a change and actively respond is crucial.

Funding and the construction of resources and infrastructure for referral, assessments, and response is an obvious requirement and then implementing it on a large scale so that each school, GP, hospital, social services etc are all working within the same network and with each other.

Until then, we need understanding and acceptance that encouraging mental well-being and counteracting poor mental health isn't an adult problem or something we should be hiding away from our children, but is absolutely necessary to discuss with them, on their level, if the statistics are to decrease.

Article By Shelby Baker PAGE

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OCD BEHAVIOURS

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Issue 71 2019

OCD Behaviours

It’s commonplace for people to say “I’m OCD about ornaments being straight” or “I’m OCD about organising the tins in my kitchen cupboards”, but what about people who genuinely have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).

For them, it can be far more problematic than a simple tin of baked beans being out of place.

Emma shares her experiences below.

Looking back, I had a mild OCD as a child, repeatedly checking the window was closed and the plugs were off before I went to bed for example. Panic set in if I couldn't check and my evenings became unsettling times.

As an adult, OCD returned to my life after I was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder.

I developed a fear of others coming to harm and my checking behaviours reared their

ugly head. My behaviours were things such as checking the cooker was off, my straighteners were unplugged, the door was locked, but the obsessive need to repeatedly check is what created such distress in me.

Your mind simply isn't satisfied that you've done enough; it's like you can't trust yourself.

I even moved to checking medicine in my bag was safe repeatedly and couldn't light candles, as my obsession with checking they were out at night was overwhelming.

Thankfully, three years later, I am now in control of my OCD safety behaviours after a course of cognitive behavioural therapy and gradual exposure therapy.

I've received amazing support from my GP and my family and friends. Reach out for that support, there is someone who can help you.

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M.A.T.E.

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Issue 71 2019

Men And Their Emotions After recent personal events, the founding member of M.A.T.E., Dale, was looking for some advice from local guys who had been through similar issues.

Dale discovered there were limited resources available to him, to voice his emotions, and to gain advice and support. After speaking to his two best friends, they decided something needed to be done, and a new platform offered to people who needed support. Within 2 days, M.A.T.E. was born: a Facebook group for men where they feel comfortable enough to voice personal issues with like-minded guys.

We all know men have been told to ‘man up’ and that talking about feelings and emotions is not a ‘manly’ thing to do. M.A.T.E. is an open platform trying to remove that stigma. The aim of the group is to get people together in varying social settings to meets up, give advice and, most importantly, make new friends.

Within both platforms, there is the opportunity to post anonymously if members wish to do so, making it easier for people to get advice without everyone knowing their personal circumstances if it’s not something they want to be public knowledge. Admins closely monitor the pages to make sure that all group rules are adhered to.

The M.A.T.E. group has recently had their first breakfast meet and are starting a weekly football kick about session.

The groups admins are currently speaking to local businesses to see how we can ’help each other out’. For example, if they are happy to hold a meet, we can bring them more business.

The idea being somewhere in the future for a M.A.T.E./W.A.T.E. card to be available to members to give discounts on group visits.

With the success of M.A.T.E., a ladies group W.A.T.E. was then created on Facebook to run parallel to the M.A.T.E. page, with the same ideas and principles. As these groups have been made to help with people’s emotions, we have a few trained professionals active within the groups, who have offered their support and direction if needed.

The groups are planning to organise more events, with a family summer party to be announced soon, and charity events in the pipeline. The ladies of W.A.T.E. have a weekly coffee meet, and a wine tasting evening is also planned.

If you feel that either M.A.T.E. or W.A.T.E. is something that can help you, or that you would like to be involved, then the team would love to hear from you.

The M.A.T.E. group is contactable either on Facebook or Dale’s email address: dale.woody69@yahoo.com and the ladies’ group again on Facebook or Laura’s email of: ljhudson86@googlemail.com. We look forward to welcoming any new members to the groups.

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HOW PAINTING NAILS...

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Issue 71 2019

How Painting Nails Saved My Life I’ve always been obsessed with nail painting. Aged eight, I was fascinated by the bottle of nail varnish I found in a party bag.

At the age of 14, I was painting my nails to boost my confidence in front of bullies. And now, aged 26, I have my own nail art business and, to this point, have done over 1,000 manicures.

Nail art has saved my life! When I was 13, I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder, OCD and trichotillomania (a hair pulling disorder). At school and university, my anxiety was treated well, but in the adult world it was a lot different. I was met with phrases such as:

‘You seem happy, so you must be exaggerating!’ or ‘I don’t have anxiety, so I can’t understand it.’ When I took time off work due to anxiety, I was made to feel like I was making a fuss out of nothing.

In 2014, I had a nervous breakdown, which made it impossible to work. It took me a year to recover and, during that time, I began to look for ways to earn an income and still look after my health. Strangely, despite my obsession with nails, it had never occurred to me that it could be a job. I went to beauty school and decided to set up my own business. I knew that being my own boss and setting my own schedule would be the only way to stay well. If I were

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to become ill again, I could take time off and recover at my own pace without people breathing down my neck.

During the next four years, I built up a client base and was being booked for events around Norfolk. Running my own business wasn’t easy. Everything was a learning curve; I wasn’t the wealthiest and still lived with my parents.

But, none of those things mattered, as I had a business that was mine and nobody could take it away.

Issue 71 2019

Firstly, I said I would need a taxi to clients’ houses because I had dizziness and blurred vision and, therefore, wasn’t allowed to drive.

Secondly, I said I was unable to trim their nails because my hands were shaking. Thirdly, anxiety makes me vomit continually. These admissions caused one client to reply: ‘Oh you ARE ill.’

Despite these setbacks, having my own business has helped my anxiety immensely. I’m now 7 months into recovery and, although I still get anxiety, I’ve learned to view it as an early warning sign that I’m not taking care of myself.

Anxiety is like a stubborn toddler: you have to give it lots of rest, feed it properly and not overwork or it sticks its bottom lip out and throws a tantrum. I know I have to be kind to myself.

To people out there suffering with anxiety, don’t let anybody make you feel ashamed to have it. Things are changing, anxiety is being taken more seriously. We can stop the stigma!

However, last July, a bereavement triggered another breakdown. My anxiety was stronger than it had ever been before. It was unbearable.

Naturally, working was impossible, but the thought of my business kept me going. 99% of my clients were very understanding and said things like: ‘Your health is more important than a manicure, we’ll still be here when you’re better.’ However, a small number exhibited stigma and were saying: ‘Can’t you just TRY to do my nails? I want them done!’ One person said how I had disappointed so many children by cancelling an event.

Article By Charlotte Mooney For more information visit: www.dottydesignsnailart.co.uk

The only way I could combat stigma was to turn my anxiety into a physical condition. Despite what some people think, anxiety isn’t ‘feeling a bit worried’. It has an array of physical symptoms. So, I started being brutally honest.

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NORWICH SAMARITANS

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Issue 71 2019

Have You Heard?

Tucked away in the city centre since 1964, the volunteers at Norwich Samaritans have been supporting people in crisis for more than five decades.

The 160 volunteers at the branch cover 13 shifts a day, every day of the year, working out at more than 20,000 hours.

Their role is simple - to listen. To be a nonjudgmental, patient ear during difficult times, offering support to those facing mental health problems, personal crises, loneliness and, sometimes, suicidal thoughts.

Whether by phone, text message, email or faceto-face visits, their work is vital - and demand is high.

In January, the charity, which is based at St Stephens Square, revealed it had been given £9,906 by the National Lottery Community Fund to train 50 new listening volunteers this year.

The funds - roughly an eighth of the centre’s annual running costs - break down to £243 a volunteer, a figure which covers costs including volunteer and trainer expenses, administration, materials and photocopying.

Trainers, mentors and skill practice volunteers give their time and experience freely to help trainees get the best possible training for this challenging role.

The training process has 10 training room sessions followed by several weeks working with a mentor, but is vital to keep supporting people when calls are high.

Bob Kuczma, director of the branch, said: “The generous grant from the Big Lottery will allow Norwich Samaritans to recruit and train many new volunteers.

“It will directly benefit our callers by making sure that we can respond with more volunteers when they are needed most. “

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NORWICH SAMARITANS

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The charity - which relies on income from donations and its two shops at Aylsham Road and Westlegate - hosts information events throughout the year for those interested in starting a new chapter as a Samaritan.

The next Information Event is on Saturday, April 13, and will give people a chance to ask existing volunteers about how it works, and how it can fit around families and jobs.

Those interested can register their interest by emailing: recruitment@norwichsams.org.uk, but we’ve included some common questions to offer potential volunteers an insight into life as a Samaritan.

What does a Samaritan do?

Samaritans provide a 24-hour listening service for people who are facing difficulties and may be feeling suicidal. Callers can get in touch by telephone, email, text message, letter or may visit in person. A Samaritan listens to callers, without advising, criticising or judging. They are there for someone, giving them the time and space they need to talk about how they are feeling.

Issue 71 2019

How much time will it take?

Samaritans are expected to take on one duty a week (32 in any one year), which is roughly four hours. Volunteers are able to choose their own shifts in advance after training, making it as easy as possible to fit volunteering around work or other life comittments. Volunteers are expected to do 10 night shifts a year and these shifts can generate some of the most intense conversations. There are people from all walks of life, ages, careers and backgrounds volunteering with us.

What about if I have had my own difficulties?

While facing hardship might have increased your capacity for empathy, it may also leave you vulnerable while trying to help others. It will depend on when and how you went through your own difficult times, and how it affected you. You need to be in the right place in your life to offer help to others as a Samaritan.

What is the training like?

The initial training course is spread over 10 sit-down sessions, involving evenings and some weekends. You will then spend several weeks with a mentor, which will help you build the confidence you need to help others. The training helps develop your skills in grasping how it feels to be in another person’s shoes. It isn’t easy, but prepares you well for being a Samaritan, and teaches you skills that will be beneficial beyond volunteering.

•

Anyone can contact Samaritans for FREE any time from any phone on 116 123. This number won’t show up on your phone bill.

Or you can email: jo@samaritans.org or visit: www.samaritans.org to talk to one of our trained volunteers face-to-face.

• For

face-to-face visits locally between 0800-2130 hrs, Norwich Samaritans can be found at 19 St. Stephen’s Square, Norwich, NR1 3SS. PAGE

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GUESS THE YEAR

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Issue 71 2019

Just For Fun

GUESS THE YEAR! Justin Fashanu, the first openly gay footballer, committed suicide following sexual abuse allegations in the U.S.

In August this year, the cast of Eastenders visited the Norfolk Broads for an eventful holiday.

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?

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This car was voted European Car of the Year.

Construction began on the Millennium Dome in March of this year.

?

?

Welsh rock-band, Manic Street Preachers scored their first number one single with If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next.

Last month's solution: 2010

The year is...

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Carry on reading to find out

What's On Across Norfolk this month.

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WHAT'S ON...

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Issue 71 2019

WHAT'S ON AT...

King's Lynn Corn Exchange King’s Lynn Corn Exchange is a popular entertainment venue featuring everything from opera to pantomime.

Located on the historic Tuesday Market Place in the heart of King’s Lynn, the Corn Exchange hosts a wide variety of entertainment for everyone to enjoy

Get On The Floor

Thursday 7 March, 7.30pm, £32.50 / Groups 10+ 20% off Get ready for a dance show like no other, starring Strictly star/ TV personality AJ Pritchard.

A fabulous fusion of styles combine with an iconic musical playlist and a dynamic cast of dance and vocal talent to set your pulse racing on Thursday 7 March at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange.

Worldwide dancefloor flavours include tango, ballroom, latin, hip-hop, contemporary and commercial with stunning live vocals, striking costumes, and an exciting remixed sound.

Get on the Floor! is a high voltage celebration of dance that will leave you on the edge of your seat to the music of pop’s biggest party anthems.

Feel the pulse - feel the rhythm and watch our sensational cast GET ON THE FLOOR!

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Issue 71 2019

Sweeney Entertainments Presents The Take That Experience Friday 8 March, 7.30pm, £25/ Concs £23 Relight your fire with the UK’s top Take That tribute show coming to the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday 8 March.

As Take That celebrate over 25 years as the UK's number one boy band, The Take That Experience mark over a decade together as the ultimate tribute act with their best show yet!

Wowing audiences everywhere they go with their amazing vocals, replica costumes and electrifying dance routines, they continue to successfully recreate the magic of Take That with the Greatest Hits Tour 2018.

The Take That Experience bring you all the classic songs you know and love from the ’90s through to the present, including smash hits Pray, Relight My Fire, Patience, Shine, These Days and Giants.

The show also features the one and only "Robbie Williams" who brings alive songs such as Angels, Rock DJ and Candy to an already explosive show!

The boys don’t just give you a night you’ll Never Forget… they give you The Take That Experience!

To Book Tickets Or For More Information: Box Office: 01553 764864

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WHAT'S ON...

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Issue 71 2019

The Greatest Hits of Motown How Sweet It Is Saturday 9 March, 7.30pm, £26/ Concs £25 Music fans are invited to the biggest party of the year as the unstoppable Magic of Motown show steams into King’s Lynn at the Corn Exchange on Saturday 9 March! Seen by over a million people, it's no surprise that the show is one of the biggest success stories in British theatre history, even performing for Her Majesty the Queen, as special guests at the Royal Variety Performance.

Prepare yourself for 40 back-to-back classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and outstanding musicianship in this explosive concert experience.

Celebrate the sound of a generation as the timeless music of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and more, are sensationally recreated for you by an exceptionally talented cast and band.

This breath-taking concert spectacular takes you on a musical journey through all your favourite songs, including: Ain’t No Mountain, Signed Sealed Delivered, Grapevine, GetReady, Dancing In The Streets, My Girl, Blame It On The Boogie, Uptight, Endless Love, My Cherie Amor, All Night Long, Heatwave and many, many more.

This is a tribute show and is no way affiliated with any original artists/ estates/ management companies or similar shows.

Lee Mead 10 Years - The Anniversary Tour Sunday 10 March, 7.30pm, £26/ Concs £25 It's been ten years since Lee Mead first donned the coat in the West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

So Join Lee at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on Sunday 10 March and his amazing band as he takes you through the last ten years of his life. Featuring songs from the classic shows he has starred in, such as THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA , MISS SAIGON , CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG , LEGALLY BLONDE, WICKED and many more. Including songs from his previous albums, and his brand new album LEE MEAD TEN YEARS. So come along for a fantastic evening of songs and stories and you never know Lee might don the coat once more! Please note this show has changed date from 23 November to 10 March.

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Issue 71 2019

Collabro Special Guest Kerry Ellis Monday 11 March, *VIP Gold £100.50 / £44/ £34 After the success of last year’s huge sell-out theatre tour, Collabro will be back on the road next Spring with a mammoth 51 dates across the UK. The musical theatre group’s ‘Road to the Royal Albert Hall’ Tour will be kicking off at South Shields Customs House in February and will see the group perform at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on Monday 11 March, amongst many others, before finishing the tour at the world renowned Royal Albert Hall in London.

Collabro, the world’s most successful musical theatre group, met in 2014 for their first rehearsal at a London pub, just a month later went on to rouse the whole of Hammersmith Apollo into a standing ovation during their first ever public performance of ‘Stars’ for the Britain’s Got Talent judges.

Having triumphed in their Semi-Final heat with over 63% of the votes, they then won the overall competition with one of the biggest majorities ever. This subsequently led to them joining Simon Cowell’s label Syco and hence becoming label-mates with the likes of One Direction, Little Mix, Susan Boyle and Il Divo.

Supported by GEORGIA & THE VINTAGE YOUTH plus the Kings Lynn Theatretrain group will be performing. *VIP Gold ticket includes - meet and greet, pre-show photo with them, VIP gift choice, tour. Only 2 tickets remain for these seats!

To Book Tickets Or For More Information: Box Office: 01553 764864

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WHAT'S ON...

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Issue 71 2019

Julian Clary Born to Mince Friday 15 March, 7.30pm, £26.50/ Concs £24.50/ Age - 16+ ‘Are you ready for some filth? I know I am. It’s been a while since I sallied forth to pleasure the provinces with my particular brand of saucy innuendo. Let me at them!’

In this outrageously camp new show, (that he was going to call Bed Knobs and Knee Pads but was advised might not sell too well in Harrogate), renowned homosexual Julian Clary will bare his soul as never before in the interests of light entertainment.

He’ll murder some well-known songs along the way, no doubt, read you a sneak preview from his next memoir A Night at the Lubricant and make withering remarks about punters foolish enough to sit in the front row. You know the kind of thing. It’s the only life he knows. Don’t miss him at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday 15 March.

This might well be the final mince…

Recommended 16+

The Beach Boys Smile Saturday 16 March, 7.30pm, £19.50

Immerse yourself in vocal bliss on Saturday 16 March at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, with the smooth harmonies and classic songs of group that will never be forgotten. In an all new production - The Beach Boys Smile, touring the UK from 2017.

Love of music, vocal harmony and Brian Wilson's composition are what brings five young and incredibly talented musicians together to form Beach Boys Smile (aka BBS). Their roots can be traced as far back as the 80s when three brothers sang along to the classic surf tunes of the Beach Boys in the car on their way to the sunny beach, radio cranked up high!

Every time BBS put on a show, all these memories flood back and put a smile on audiences faces the world over. All the greatest songs and feel of The Beach Boys!!

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WHAT'S ON...

Issue 71 2019

The Elvis Years

Friday 22 March, 7.30pm, £23.50/ Concs £22.50 The Elvis Years coming to the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on Friday 22 March is featuring Mario Kombou - the original star of the West End hit musical Jailhouse Rock - and his all-star band; this five star production makes for one truly unforgettable night out!

From the legendary sun hits That's Alright Mama and Good Rockin' Tonight to the majestic Las Vegas concert performances of In The Ghetto and Suspicious Minds, this breath taking journey through the life and times of the king is simply unmissable.

Packed with over 50 golden greats, and spanning 3 decades of hits, this show delivers on every level costume, lights and action!

This is as close as you can get to the king - and you might even get a scarf!

To Book Tickets Or For More Information: Box Office: 01553 764864

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57

WHAT'S ON...

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Issue 71 2019

Sarah Darling Coming To Arts Centre, Norwich On March 14th 2019 Following the release of her new single ‘Call Me’, country singer-songwriter Sarah Darling announces a string of tour dates taking place in March 2019. Sarah will be previewing songs from upcoming album ‘Wonderland’ in Glasgow, London, Norwich, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Brighton and Leeds. Tickets available now via Sarah’s official website: www.sarahdarling.com.

Speaking about performing in her home-awayfrom-home, Sarah said, “I’m so excited to be returning to the UK to share my new music.

Doubly excited since many of the tracks on ‘Wonderland’ are “made in the UK” with UK co-writers and producers! Britain has a special place in my heart, and the audiences have always been so warm and welcoming.”

‘Call Me’, her most recent single, signposts the latest stop on a journey that Sarah has been undertaking towards the most promising and anticipated album of her career. Sarah describes ‘Wonderland’ as a transformative time in her life, one that has allowed her to experiment in new sonic territories. “The whole concept of my ‘Wonderland’ album was to explore a brand-new world artistically. Because of my connection to the U.K., I thought ‘what better place to bring my Nashville roots to be creative’.

I think it’s good as an artist to stretch the boundaries, because you are always growing and that’s how you find new magic and move forward to wonderful, new places.”

A host of exceptional artists came on board to collaborate with Sarah on ‘Wonderland’, including writers from both the US and UK. Working with these songwriters has been a dream for Sarah, who took the challenge of writing with guests in her stride, “I’ve been in England for most of the year co-writing and working with producers. On this project, it’s

Pictured: Sarah Darling Photo credit: Sara Kauss photography

really about new friends and new ideas. I literally would walk into a co-writing session, and had never met the person before. It’s so incredibly exciting to be finishing up the album, and to say I’ve recorded this in a different country. It’s a true reflection of me, and the current ride I’m on. Not to mention, I have new friends and memories for life. Music is about the connection. I’m so proud to share this trans-Atlantic collaboration. It’s the greatest adventure of my life to date!”

Sarah will be performing songs from ‘Wonderland’ for UK fans at the following locations on her 8-date tour.

Sarah Darling March 2019 UK tour: Tue 12 Mar - Glasgow - Oran Mor Wed 13 Mar - London - Bush Hall Thu 14 Mar - Norwich - Arts Centre Sat 16 Mar - Manchester - Deaf Institute Sun 17 Mar - Liverpool - Leaf Mon 18 Mar - Bristol - Fleece Wed 20 Mar - Brighton - Komedia Thu 21 Mar - Leeds - Brudenell Social Club Tickets available via: www.sarahdarling.com PAGE

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59

ICENI - HOROSCOPES

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Issue 71 2019

Horoscopes For March Aries 21 March - 20 April Lovely Venus glides into

Libra 24 September - 23 October On the 2nd, your ruler

friendly Aquarius, and asks you to celebrate what you have in common with others. This is going to be of great help, as the New Moon links with Neptune on the 6th. Your sensitivity to others can pay huge dividends in the weeks ahead. Get creative over finances too, but with Mercury rewinding, guard against jumping to conclusions. Energy soars from the 21st.

Venus moves into her most effective location during her yearly transit. For the next four weeks, there is a glorious opportunity for you to be more self expressive and affectionate. However, there are still going to be some practical strands to attend to, so measure how much energy you invest in these this month.

Do keep some time for your own needs.

Taurus 21 April - 21 May Your ability to tune into others

Scorpio 24 October - 22 November Your self-expression

can take on an almost psychic empathy this month, and this can hold you in good stead. But with Uranus arriving in your sign for seven years, any area of your life which has grown stale, is ripe for a shakeup. From the 10th to the 16th, you have a fine platform to drive any alterations through, and some of these can prove to be life changing.

can be greatly enriched this month by a brilliant New Moon, and connections between your co-rulers of Mars and Pluto.

This can also have an impact on your love life which can sizzle, and in the most surprising but delightful of ways.

Despite this, there may be some stop-start moments, but if so, just try to take these in your stride Scorpio.

Gemini 22 May - 21 June Your worldly interactions can

Sagittarius 23 November - 21 December Feeling happy,

go through some readjustments. And it may not be the first plan that appeals to you that turns out to be the one that you ultimately stick with. There could be mixed messages around your employment situation, or you may find yourself wanting to take on a role with much greater spiritual meaning. A friend can be so very supportive from the 21st.

comfortable and secure in your home environment becomes a top priority. You may find yourself more than ordinarily sensitive to your environment, but this can see you thinking about your outside space, or even about redecoration. You burst into livelier form from the 21st, at the time of the Spring Equinox. Your energy and drive increase appreciably then.

Cancer 22 June - 23 July Dare to dream this month

Capricorn 22 December - 20 January Pluto, in your

Cancer, for your appreciation of travel, other cultures, history, spirituality, the arts, film and music, will be absolutely fantastic. All sorts of expansion is possible across these areas. Though with Mercury rewinding from the 5th, there probably are going to be one or two glitches along the way, but positivity and drive can take you far. Go for it!

sign, is all about change and transformation. Sometimes this process is not without its growing pains, but fortunately this month, two fantastic links between the 10th and the 16th and the 19th to the 24th, can fire up the plans that are important to you in the most valuable of ways. Your finances can also be given a significant boost this March, Capricorn.

Leo 24 July - 23 August This is a month when you can

Aquarius 21 January - 19 February With lovely Venus

be very imaginative around how to manage your longerterm finances. If you've ever thought of self-employment and have a key gift, this can be a fine time to deploy it. That said, if you are needing to deal with a lender or seek formal help, it will be important to ensure that what you want to achieve is crystal clear, and with application, it can be.

entering your sign on the 2nd, this is going to give your sense of self and your personal attractiveness a huge boost.

If you're solo, more than one person can beat a path to your door in the weeks to come. Effort that you have put in over a sustained period of time, can also start to show signs of firming up, and this can prove to be very satisfying to you.

Virgo 24 August - 23 September Your relationship sector

Pisces 20 February - 20 March A fantastic New Moon in

can arouse high expectations this month, and you could encounter someone who has something of a mysterious but also captivating profile, who really appeals to you. However, because of Mercury's retrograde and the dreamy influence of Neptune, there's also the potential for crossed wires. But generally, sweet things and sweet nothings can be shared.

your zodiac sign, combines with your co-ruler of Neptune.

If ever there was a time to utilize flexibility, intuition and creativity, that is so closely allied to your sign, this is it. Yet as much as you may find yourself wanting to get on the front foot, at times your mind may go back to a past person or situation, and you could find yourself quite sentimental.

Astrologer Patrick Arundell provides a unique take on Horoscopes and Astrology. Join him daily for your Daily Horoscope and his penetrating insight into this fascinating subject. Also FREE Horoscope Videos.

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