Iceni Magazine Norfolk Issue 86

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

ISSUE 86

Focus On: Careers

Audi A4 Saloon Review

Ready For A “Roar-some” Adventure?

Artwork Radiating Hope & Optimism

Beware Of The Pitfalls Of Working From Home

Welcome To Iceni Magazine, In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.

John Steinbeck

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Welcome to Issue 86 of Iceni Magazine.

With times still uncertain and people still fighting against this horrid disease, we hope to bring you a little brightness with some interesting things to read.

Pages 27-33 show our readers’ images from around the county, offering us all an insight into the lives of others and places we haven’t yet returned to during lockdown.

This month’s focus is on Careers. Gemma Sandwell, the Happiness Branch, shares her thoughts on a frog sandwich and how this relates to your work. Intrigued? Read all about it on Pages 42 and 43. The county’s favourite home educator, Missy Hitchcox, reveals her career journey so far and the aspirations of 6-year-old Beau (Pages 44-45).

Elsewhere, read about Tindall Ales’ lockdown success (Page 10), Keri Beevis’ spooky socially-distanced walk (Page 13), and See What Mummy Says’ tales of their family life in lockdown (Pages 24-25).

So until Issue 87 in July, we wish you all well and hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight.

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CONTRIBUTORS Becca Hamling, Cheryl Cade, Gemma Sandwell, Keri Beevis, Matt Porter, Mark King, Missy Hitchcox, Patrick Arundell, Serena Fordham, Susan Leigh, Thomas Hamling, Tim Barnes-Clay.

Page 3 Image Benjamen Terry - www.definedetail.com

Disclaimer

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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.

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Contents 48

pages

Full of absolute dynamic

creative content!

“You Reap What You Sow”

24

39

STARTING AGAIN AS

SEE WHAT MUMMY SAYS

Lockdown Restrictions Lift

A Family In Lockdown

18

14 20

BEWARE OF THE...

Pitfalls Of Working From Home

MOTORING REVIEW Audi A4 Saloon

06

The Benjamin Foundation Monthly Update

16

Motorola VerveBuds 400 Reviewed

35

Focus On: Fitness

09

Iceni News Ready For A “Roar-some”...

18

Motoring Review Audi A4 Saloon

36

The Journey To Your Career Aspirations

10

Iceni News Award-Winning...

20

Artwork Radiating Hope & Optimism

38

Iceni Asks...

What Job Did You Dream Of...

11

Iceni News Will Writers Responding...

22

Nibbles & Tipples June

39

Starting Again As Lockdown Restrictions Lift

12

Iceni Columnist Mark King

24

See What Mummy Says A Family In Lockdown

42

Eat Your Frog Or Sandwich Your Frog

13

Iceni Columnist Keri Beevis

26

Nova Silver June

44

A Career Is...

Something I never...

14

Beware Of The Pitfalls Of Working From Home

27

Best Of Norfolk Readers Images

46

Iceni Horoscopes What Do Your Stars Hold?

THE BENJAMIN FOUNDATION

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Issue 86 2020

The Benjamin Foundation The Benjamin Foundation is a local charity which 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, our work brings hope, opportunity, stability and independence to the people we support.

Bags Of Love From Meet Up Meet Up is our Youth and Family Centre on Thetford’s Redcastle Furze Estate. Funded

by The National Lottery Community Fund, its main aim is to provide leisure activity and support services for young people and the local community.

It enables them to access provisions in a safe and informal environment and make positive choices and changes where necessary.

While the centre itself is currently closed for its usual groups and activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Meet Up team have been working on a scheme called ‘Bags of Love’ to let Meet Up members know we are still thinking of them at this challenging time.

The Bags of Love provide activities, such as craft kits and puzzle books, which they can enjoy while staying safe at home.

Learn more about Meet Up and their work in the local community here: https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/service/meet-up/

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THE BENJAMIN FOUNDATION Issue 86 2020

Supporting Young People During Lockdown Thanks to donations, we have been able to create a fund to help the young people we support through this difficult time.

Lucas* has been living at one of our accommodation centres in Norfolk for vulnerable young people for ten months.

A talented musician, he is studying music performance and production and hopes to have a career in the music industry one day. Lucas explains how the new fund has helped him: “I’ve had much more time to study and do college work, which is a good thing, but it has meant that equipment that I store my music and college work on has filled up very quickly. I’ve also been sitting on an uncomfortable chair, which is hurting my back.

“I applied to the fund to buy a new hard drive to increase the storage so I can do more college work and also buy a new chair so I could be more comfortable. I’m just really grateful that people have been able to help me in this way. I actually feel quite bad as I can’t give anything back right now - but the fund has been so helpful.”

Thank you to everybody who has donated. *Name has been changed.

Can You Support Us During COVID-19?

Our work to prevent local youth homelessness does not stop.

While many people are able to work from home, our colleagues are delivering front-line, essential services to over 100 local, vulnerable young people each day, each night, 365 days a year, giving them a safe place to live, support and the skills they need to forge independent lives.

If you can help us to support more local young people like Lucas, please click here: https://bit.ly/TBF1Covid19 Thank you for your support.

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7

ICENI - NEWS

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Issue 86 2020

Ready For A “Roar-some” Adventure?

Our regular contributor Tom Hamling, from parenting blog See What Mummy Says, has launched his second rhyming picture book “Only Bones Left Behind”.

His new book, which is one of a series, follows Bella and Jack as they use imaginative play to go on adventures and this time, they’ve brought their pet dogs along!

Only Bones Left Behind finds the characters in a Jurassic land meeting some new friends… dinosaurs!

“The books are written in celebration of the wonderful imaginations that children have, and this time the adventure includes the whole family. Pets, for many, are such an integral part of everyday life, that it seems only right that they make an appearance,” Tom told us.

He added, “The first book has proved really popular so I was determined to meet our original plan of an April launch, despite the current situation potentially delaying it. There is a third book, currently with illustrator Rachel Edwards which should be available from October of this year… and it’s my favourite of the five stories I’ve written about Bella & Jack so I’m particularly excited about that one!”

Tom’s books are both available on paperback and eBook from Amazon.

He hopes to get back in the community, performing author visits as soon as it is safe to do so.

Tom’s first picture book, a pirate adventure “It’s Gold We Love Most!” was released in October 2019. His most recent project has been writing a short story starring Bella and Jack to raise money for the Young Minds charity. “We Need To Talk” will be part of a compilation called Re-Think The Rainbow, which will be available on eBook soon.

To keep up to date with news from Tom, visit: www.seewhatmummysays.com or follow on twitter: @whatmummysaysuk or Instagram: seewhatmummysays

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9

ICENI - NEWS

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Issue 86 2020

Award-Winning Young Norfolk Brewery Owner Sees Sales Of Ale Soar During Current Crisis One of the youngest brewery owners in the UK, who has already won awards for his beer, has seen sales of his real ale hit an all time high during the current crisis.

21-year-old Mike Green (pictured right), who runs the Seething based Tindall Brewery, has been working flat out to keep up with the demand for bottles of ale during lockdown.

Once produced, his award-winning ales are being sold in a takeaway format, and on a non- contact basis. He said that ‘the brewery has been thriving, and sales of bottled beer are up tremendously’. He has also been selling fresh draught beer to people who bring their own containers for £3.40 a litre, and casks of beer for people to set up at home.

Mike added that he is also very pleased to think that his ales have helped people to get through these difficult times of isolation, provided comfort and are something for people to look forward to.

It was at the 2019 Norwich Beer Festival that Mike scooped a first place for his Ditchingham Dam in the best bitter category and 3rd place award for his Honey Do ale to add to his first place Brewers choice award from a beer festival in Derbyshire for his Seething Pint ahead of long established breweries including both Greene King and Timothy Taylor’s.

Mike revived the brewery which had originally been founded by his father Allan in the late 90s in a converted stable in Tindall Woods, hence the name of the brewery, and moved it to its present location of the one time home of the 448th bombing group during World War 2 at Seething airfield.

However after some success himself Allan semi retired from brewing but agreed to pass on many of the skills that he himself had learned to his son who was determined to not only revive the brewery, but to bring it into the 21st century.

While keeping many of the brewery's original ales, he created a range of new one’s as well including ever more interesting new ingredients that were mostly locally sourced, and has had great success in doing so.

Mike says that he always planned to carry on his father’s legacy creating a quality product, sourcing the best possible ingredients, and supporting the local community. He hopes in the long run when life starts to return to normal that he will be able to expand the business, be able to go beyond the county, and to host tap nights at and tours of the brewery. However for now in the middle of a crisis which has left him saddened by the terrible effect that it has had upon the nation, he has been surprised and delighted by people’s reactions to the company's range of real ales and feels quietly optimistic about the company's future.

To find out more about Tindall ales go to their facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/tindallales/ or contact Mike on 07703 379116.

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ICENI - NEWS

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Issue 86 2020

Will Writers Responding To Support Their Clients In The “New Normal” Environment With all the uncertainty for businesses throughout Norfolk, one award-winning Will Writing firm has adapted to enable them to continue to support their clients.

Stuart Burrell, MD of Heritage Wills, based in Norwich said they have “embraced the new normal” in numerous ways including adapting their office to provide a safe space for witnessing will signings as well as thanking NHS frontline staff by providing free Wills.

One of the main challenges posed by social distancing for the industry has been the witnessing of Wills being signed. Once the Will has been drafted, the client then needs to get it signed and witnessed by two independent people. Currently the law in England states that these witnesses must be present at the time of signing (also referred to as attestation). This has proved to be challenging during lockdown, but Heritage has been quick to offer solutions.

At their Norwich Head Office, the team have adapted their office space to create a safe environment for clients to sign their will & staff to witness it whilst adhering to the current social distancing measures. The service affectionately known by the Heritage team as the “Attestation Station” - has been greatly appreciated by clients.

Historically, Heritage offered free home visits to clients but social distancing meant they had to quickly rethink how to best to continue offering their bespoke service. “Our team of Consultants now offer free virtual appointments utilising technology such as Zoom, WhatsApp, Facetime and Skype as well as telephone consultations

which are all proving very popular with our clients. Our phones, website live chat and social media have been very busy with requests for appointments from new clients as well as existing clients who want to review and update their existing Wills.” explained Stuart.

“As well as working to make the Will process as easy as possible for our clients, we also wanted to say a thank you to the NHS for their amazing work. That’s why we have extended our offer of a free standard Will to NHS frontline staff until the end of July.”

Established in 2002, Heritage Will Writers are East Anglia and the South East’s leading dedicated Will writing service, serving tens of thousands of clients. In addition to writing Wills, the team offer a full probate service, a Client Care Package which includes secure document storage and can help with trust enquiries, Lasting Powers of Attorney and property ownership changes. In 2019, they were awarded Will Writer of the year at the National Paralegal Awards and were highly commended for the Community Involvement in the 2019 British Wills and Probate Awards.

Visit: www.heritagewills.co.uk PAGE

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11

ICENI - COLUMNISTS

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Issue 86 2020

The Diary of a Norfolk Family

By Mark King It’s been inescapable!

Literally, if you wanted to fly away somewhere, anywhere that was quiet and away from it all, you couldn’t.

went out the window. Then there were the birthday presents we scrambled to try and get. With the shops closed, we spent hours scrolling the internet to find items on online platforms, only to find it would take eight weeks to delivery or were out of stock until further notice.

You couldn’t get away from it on the news, or from your social media sites like Facebook. You couldn’t speak to family, friends or neighbours without all talk Above: Mark King turning to the Coronavirus, or its deadlier form of Covid-19. I was determined not to mention the little beastie in my article, but as it has affected every aspect of my family life, I would have been left with just a blank page to send to the editor.

With the shops being stripped bare of everyday essentials like toilet paper, milk, bread, flour and pasta and then these items having to be rationed, and with being unable to buy special things like birthday presents, and then you add the genuine fear that everyone felt that death could be a hand away from a germ-infested door handle, or a sneeze away from stranger in those first two weeks of lockdown, I can honestly say that moment in history is the nearest I can imagine what it must have felt like for my parents, and grandparents, as they lived through the years of the Second World War.

Although the lockdown has blown a massive hole into our everyday social life from going out to the pub or restaurant, to the cancellation of events we have booked like Lets Rock in Norwich, the Light festival in Lowestoft and a long weekend at the Latitude festival, it also affected us in such unseen ways. Both of the children had birthdays during this world-wide emergency, so all the usual fun that would have been had with family and friends

Luckily for me, my family, both immediate and extended, and as far as I know, my many friends too, this whole experience has been a massive inconvenience, but nobody has suffered from any ill effects from Covid-19, and I am truly, truly grateful for this. www.always-hanging-around.blogspot.com Follow on twitter: @author_king

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ICENI - COLUMNISTS

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Issue 86 2020

Socially Distanced Walk I recently went for a socially distanced walk with Mama Beev.

Now there is a road not far from where I live that is no longer used by traffic and cuts through heavy woodland. I'm not brave enough to walk down there by myself (have Above: Keri Beevis you read my books?) but with my 73-year-old mother to protect me, I was fine.

As we headed into the woods there was a chap a little further ahead, also walking in the same direction. He wasn't walking overly quickly and he had a big stick he was swinging in his hand and occasionally using to hit at the overgrown banks on the side of the road.

He was also dressed rather formally for a walk down a wooded lane.

back to his odd choice of clothing for a walk and how he had been all strange with his stick.

'You definitely don't remember him?' I started describing him, certain she would go, oh yes, him. 'He was literally walking just a couple of metres ahead of us, mother!'

'No, I don't remember seeing anyone on the road. It was just us.'

So there I am convinced my potential stick man murderer was actually a flipping ghost and thinking, 'Yikes!' when I remember I had taken a photo of the road with the trees arching over it.

Although we had stopped at that point and he was a lot further ahead, he would still be in it...

If he was real.

To be honest, he seemed rather odd and he was spooking me just a little. I slowed my pace so there was a little more distance between us and I was surprised Mama Beev didn't comment, either to say that he made her feel uncomfortable too or to question what he was doing with his big stick.

Gulp!

Anyway, all was good. He didn't turn out to be a mass murderer, our paths eventually going in different directions. Mama Beev and I continued with our walk and about an hour later as we were cutting back across the park, I mentioned the creepy man and his stick.

Mama Beev always tells me I am the least observant member of our family.

'What man?' she asked.

'The one who was just in front of us as we walked through the woods,' I told her. 'But there wasn't anyone in front of us.'

Frantically I reached for my phone and quickly flicked through my photos. I found the wooded picture, couldn't see him in it, but then I zoomed in and phew!

There he was in the distance.

Guess I now know where I get it from.

(PS. To Stick Man, if he happens to read this, and thinks 'Ooh, hang on. I was walking around a wooded lane in Norwich with a big stick recently', I apologise for thinking you were a weirdo and a ghost.)

Huh? Okay, so I was officially freaking out by this point.

What did she mean there had been no man? I thought

My crime thriller, D For Dead is available to buy in paperback and Kindle now.

Follow me on Facebook or Twitter for more information.

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BEWARE OF THE PITFALLS

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Issue 86 2020

Beware Of The Pitfalls Of Working From Home Working from home can seem like a perfect scenario for both employers, employees and sole traders.

first step on the road to recovery, with many important support services able to be engaged virtually, as and when required.

After all, it minimises overheads, reduces the need for office premises and allows for greater flexibility, with opportunities to work when busy and do other things when not.

l Some logistical considerations need to be investigated, at least at the outset.

Is creating a designated workstation viable?

Trying to work on the kitchen table or in an area that's busy, noisy or has several demands made on its usage does not contribute to a productive work environment. Neither is sharing kit with children and their homework requirements. Assess the availability of space, software requirements, internet capacity, data security and any additional training requirements. Will some staff need PPE or other safety equipment?

But there are a few potential pitfalls it's important to be aware of when working from home. l In this post-COVID-19 world, some staff may be apprehensive at the prospect of returning to work, are concerned at using public transport or may not have enough actual work to sustain them in a return to full-time employment. Home working can accommodate them being available as needed, be able to work their hours to suit and then gradually regain their confidence after possibly weeks away. l Sole-traders may have had to cut back on their overheads, let go of support staff and may be trying to recover some of the ground lost during lockdown. They may have to effectively start all over again, building their businesses from scratch. Working from home is the

l Meetings, networking and team building are often key components in a business's success. Good relationships oil the wheels of commerce. Those with a reputation for being fair and treating their staff and customers well invariably do better. Check to see where there's a convenient hot-desking space, hotel or venue that would be suitable for necessary briefings and meetings. Online offers important business connectivity, but in-person is crucial too.

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BEWARE OF THE PITFALLS

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l Working from home offers the option to work one's own hours, to fit in around children and their school times and assorted demands, to be able to schedule personal appointments or deal with domestic matters more comfortably. But these non-work items can become an increasing distraction, where you find yourself all too frequently going to the gym, meeting friends for coffee, or doing chores rather than actual work. l Set yourself clear times for starting work where, even if you're not especially busy, you check-in both mentally and physically, do some emails, social media updates, make phone calls, network and engage in conversations with colleagues, problem-solving and building relationships. l But also be clear about finishing work too. Clocking off can be a pitfall of working from home; it being tempting to keep on working until something's finished or 'just' check in again out of fear of missing out (FOMO) or being perceived as not being productive enough. l Distractions may not only come from not being in a formal office setting. Sometimes it can be tempting to dip in and out of several pieces of work, not finishing one piece before starting something new. Unless a new urgent matter arises it's far better to remain disciplined and focussed on one piece of work at a time. l Good list keeping can ensure that there's no danger of forgetting something new, important

Issue 86 2020

or that still requires attention. It can prevent time-wasting and randomly hopping from one thing to another. l A significant pitfall in working from home could be the aftermath of longterm social distancing and how apprehensive some staff or sole traders may be at leaving home to meet others. Some people will have experienced personal tragedy, maybe first-hand. The prospect of going into busy meetings or seminars may be daunting and need to be managed with everyone's mental and physical safety in mind. l Also, how to dress now? I daresay many of us have spent weeks in casual lounge gear, occasionally freshening up the top, visible part of our bodies for the next zoom or skype call.

Dressing in more professional work attire can be a good discipline as it conveys a more business like impression and mindset.

Working from home requires a different set of a skills where you manage your own discipline, self-care and regime. Commit to proper stress management, exercise, eat well and have fun.

Yes, you can do chores, attend the gym and parents' events, have a lunch or game of golf but it's also important to invest in the success of the business too.

As Oprah Winfrey once said, if you had a young child that you cared about and wanted to grow up healthy and well, you'd check in with it every day to ensure its continued growth. The same applies to your business.

Article By Susan Leigh Susan Leigh, counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor, 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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15

THE GADGETMAN

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Issue 86 2020

Motorola VerveBuds 400 Reviewed Great Value True Wireless Bluetooth 5 In-Ear Buds

I spend quite a lot of time listening to music and audiobooks, so head-phones are an absolute must for me.

I regularly listen to audiobooks in the evening, so the addition of a set of wireless in-ear buds seemed like a plan! The Motorola VerveBuds 400 seemed to be a good balance between quality, functionality and price, so armed with a set, off I went home to test them out.

The VerveBuds are very small in-ear-buds that are barely noticeable (other than the bright flashing blue light!) and don't have anything protruding from them that you might have seen in other brands, so they can't be easily snatched from your ears on the tube!

The two buds pair independently to your phone device using a phone app, which has the added abilities to connect to Siri, Google Assistant or

an Amazon Alexa account to use it as a personal digital assistant. You can also control audio, by playing, pausing or skipping forward and back by a combination of 'taps' on each earbud. It sounds complicated, but after a short while, you get used to it. Both ear-buds also contain microphones, so you can use them for handsfree calls. They can also be pair independently so that you can simply just wear one bud and use it as a hands-free kit whilst keeping alert with the other ear.

The buds come with a neat metal charging pod which magnetises the earbuds into place and provides several charges before its own battery becomes depleted. The case itself can be charged using a micro USB cable. Once charged up, the buds are switched on automatically as soon as you open the case. Each bud tells you whether it's left or right channel and its connection status. Whilst listening to audiobooks, I favoured listening to the left channel in one ear.

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THE GADGETMAN Issue 86 2020

Sound wise, the quality is very good. There are three different sizes of rubber to attach to the buds to comfortably sit in your ear. The VerveBuds then tuck gently inside your ear which keeps them secure. You do have to play around a bit to get them in the right place, but once you find the sweet spot, it's all good.

ABS earpieces.

Priced at £59.99, the VerveBuds are not super-cheap, but the quality and functionality are excellent.

Stay Safe, Matt www.thegadgetman.org.uk

Specification: • True wireless.

• 6mm driver.

• Remote with a microphone for calls and track control controls.

• 12m range.

• Water-resistant.

• IPX6 water-resistant, shockproof.

• Compatible with universal smartphones.

• Rechargeable battery.

• 9-hour battery life.

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17

MOTORING REVIEW

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Issue 86 2020

Audi A4 Saloon Review

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist.

Follow on Instagram @tbarnesclay Audi’s A4 saloon sits in a class that has been waning for a decade or more.

So why carry on making it then? Well, the German automaker feels the model still has a part to play in the automotive world.

I drove the 2.0-litre 40 TFSI 190PS S line S tronic grade and found it brimming with performance and refinement. The car will whisk you from a standstill to 62mph in 7.3 seconds and will keep on going until the needle touches 149mph.

But even with foot-down throttle pressure, you don’t hear much from the turbo petrol-powered A4 - it’s a very quiet car.

Furthermore, the seven-speed twin-clutch auto ‘box (S tronic in Audi’s tongue) suits the saloon, never exhibiting any dithering, as it can do in related models.

Apart from a jittery ride around the rutted roads of Norfolk, I found the A4 40 TFSI S line saloon to be a strong alternative to German rival, the BMW 3 Series.

And, once out of Norwich and on the A11, my test car was eager and stable. The harmony of the smooth twin-clutch transmission and the 2.0-litre engine makes for a contented yet energetic ride. It all combines to ensure you’re able to cover many miles effortlessly.

People in the rear of the A4 get a substantial amount of head and legroom.

More's the pity then that the bulky transmission tunnel devours foot space. Therefore, getting a trio of adults into the back isn’t easy. On the other hand, if you have three kids, as I do, they’ll be fine back there.

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MOTORING REVIEW Issue 86 2020

And as for the 480-litre boot - you’ll get the family’s shopping in, no problem as well as a cluster of golf clubs - if that’s your thing.

The A4 40 TFSI 190PS S line S tronic, as driven for this review, will do a claimed 39.2mpg while releasing 137g/km of carbon dioxide. This is reasonable for this kind of car, although, while travelling through Norwich and stretches of dual carriageway I only squeezed low-30s mpg from the tank.

The Audi A4's build quality is solid as a rock (as 1984’s Ashford & Simpson sang), so the car will cope with years of business and family use.

For additional assuredness, the A4 netted the full five stars from Euro NCAP for its competence in shielding occupants in a smash - and it scored exceptionally well for keeping children protected should a collision happen.

Finally, you’re covered if you buy a brand new A4 saloon - Audi will sort you out with a 60,000-mile/three-year warranty, with roadside assistance thrown in. I doubt you’ll need it, though – this car is as ubiquitous as the automaker’s products get, so dependability and trustworthiness are of the essence.

Pros' n' Cons • • • •

Performance ✔ Build-quality ✔ Image ✔ Pricey ✖

Fast Facts - Audi A4 40 TFSI 190PS S line S tronic - as tested: • • • • • • •

Max speed: 149 mph 0-60 mph: 7.3 seconds Combined mpg: 39.2 Engine layout: 1984cc, four-cylinder turbo petrol Max. power (PS): 190 CO2: 137 g/km Price: £37,160 PAGE

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19

NORWICH ARTIST

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Issue 86 2020

Artwork Radiating Hope & Optimism

We’re living in uncertain times right now with the effect of covid 19 and our new Lockdown Lifestyles that we now find ourselves living every day.

You may be wondering about the best ways to remain optimistic and hopeful during your everyday and looking ahead to the future.

Norwich-based artist Samuel Thomas shares his vision and tactics on how best to cope during our lockdown lifestyles. He suggests that practising daily appreciation of the small things, remaining hopeful in our mind-sets, showing daily gratitude and appreciation for the small joys within our everyday, being appreciative of nature and the fact that the sun is still shining whilst looking forward to better days ahead are all strategies we can all practise to help us stay resilient and optimistic at this time.

Samuel Thomas’ artworks embody these philosophies as the artist’s uplifting paintings have always been about projections of the self into a better future, because this faith and belief is in the very fabric of our human nature. The artist explains: ‘We all live in hope for the future, but we should also practise appreciating the

smaller joys within our everyday, that we may have overlooked or taken for granted before our Lockdown lifestyles took effect. I think we’re all a bit guilty of this mentality in life, because it’s not until we suffer the threat of losing something that we then start to truly appreciate the value of those things and we then learn to be thankful for what we are blessed with. A crisis (despite how harrowing it can be) can help put our problems into perspective and allows us to gain clarity on our lives and focus on what’s really important in the short term and in the long term. My paintings have always been on a mission to persuade people to stop and pause, and to visually see and appreciate how much joy and beauty surrounds us in our everyday.’

Enjoy some of these paintings featuring some iconic Norwich views and wider Norfolk landscapes that will help you reconnect with the joys in your life and will help you feel optimistic and hopeful for the future that awaits you.

After all, you ARE what you FOCUS on. Browse the artist’s online gallery to feel refreshed and uplifted and enjoy some ‘escapism’ during lockdown. www.samuelthomasart.co.uk

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NORWICH ARTIST Issue 86 2020

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NIBBLES & TIPPLES

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Nibbles &Tipples June Article By Cheryl Cade, Beer Educator There are very few rural businesses that do not have some level of diversity to them and these days, if you are a supplier to the hospitality sector, it is even more important.

This is definitely true of the Little Earth Project Brewery, based in a historic barn next to White Horse Inn, Edwardstone, Sudbury.

Tom, the brewer, first started to brew cask ale for the pub and local outlets to support the pub and farm. Seven years later, they laid down their first ‘Wild’ beer, ready for launching of Little Earth Project in 2016.

This was a labour of love at a time before sour / wild fermented beers were becoming popular.

Tom used yeast from their cider production to bring to East Anglia beers that would rival some of the top Belgian producers of Lambics and Gueze.

These beers take a long time to mature; wild yeast and bacteria from the inside of the wooden barrels impart a depth of flavour (raisins, balsamic, oak) that when compared to a kettle sour (made using citric acid) transports you back to days of yore. Before our understanding of yeast and bacteria, English beer was known for its tart finish.

The great thing about Little Earth Project is also the aspect of foraging; local herbs and fruits are used to bring more dynamism to the beer.

They grow their own hops and use local barley, harking back to how beer was local to the region and terroir of the area.

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NIBBLES & TIPPLES

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The White Horse acts as Little Earth's tap, a haven in the rolling hills of Suffolk for delicately balanced wild beers, cider and cask ales, paired perfectly with food, a wild beer's soul mate.

Staying over the border with some more tipple, a brewery founded in 2018, Krafty Braumeister, is also bound in heritage. The heritage of Germany, Uli first started to brew in the historic fertile crescent where brewing and farming began.

Nowadays it's very hard to find good beer in Baghdad so Uli and family learnt the complex art of homebrew in 40° heat. On returning to the UK Uli brought his love of beer to Leiston.

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give this beer its high fizz and expected 3-inch head when poured.

The yeast also helps to impart flavour, including cloves in the Wheat beer, Blau&Weissbier, while adding that visual cloudy note.

Uli has also brought to the region beers rarely seen this side of the channel, dark, malty Altbier.

Studying and researching traditional German brews, Uli noted a gap in the market for these in the UK, the beers he had drunk growing up were not all lager, but ales.

Golden yellow, KĂślsch, which should be sweet yet have a clean mouthfeel. All these beers in their unfiltered state also have additional health benefits as they do not lose their vitamins or minerals. This summer these beers are a perfect accompaniment to your BBQ.

All of his beers followed the Reinheitsgebot (a German purity law). The carbonation in keg or bottle is achieved using fresh Wort being added to the beer and the residual yeast using this to

Both breweries are currently supplying beer directly, so check out their websites.

You will also find a lot of your local breweries, farm shops, pubs & restaurants offering some delivery service, keeping them going in these, interesting times.

Cheers, until next month.

Cheryl Visit: https://cherylcade.com

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SEEWHATMUMMYSAYS

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A Family In Lockdown It’s very difficult to write about the positives of lockdown, when you know so many people have been affected and for many, it reminds them only of losing loved ones.

I do, however, believe that we should try and take some positives from any situation.

Personally, it has meant that I can spend lots of time with my family, with far fewer distractions than “normal life”. We have stayed in our own little bubble and felt safer because of it.

Balancing home schooling, Becca working from home and the niggling sense of guilt for being furloughed when others are still at work has

been challenging at times, but this has been far outweighed by just being around the family.

The children have coped surprisingly well, and I hope that’s a reflection on our approach to the situation. Keeping them aware of changes around school/nursery, encouraging sensible behaviours such as washing hands and the rules around distancing whilst also protecting them from some of the harsh realties, like the daily deaths total and questionable political choices.

We have enjoyed movie nights, video calls with friends, family baking and games in the garden as well as making the lockdown scrapbook of course. We try and do any household jobs in

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SEEWHATMUMMYSAYS

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the morning, usually at the same time as school work so we are then all free from lunchtime to do something as a family.

When the children have gone to bed, we have tried to relax and again, make the best of a very strange situation.

One of my favourite activities was making homemade doughnuts. As Becca is a coeliac, we found some gluten free doughnut mix available online from the Skegness Rock Shop. It was delivered alongside a tool, which allows you to drop the mix into the hot oil making the familiar shape of a doughnut with a hole in the middle!

Don’t worry, the children didn’t go anywhere near the hot oil, but they enjoyed making the mix, and enjoyed eating them even more!

Finished with the traditional sugar coating, they tasted just like the ones you get at the seaside!

From start to finish, we probably only spent an hour making and eating doughnuts, but it was definitely worth doing as whenever the kiddies have emailed or spoken to anyone they always mention it.

I would prefer them to remember this as a time when they got to spend lots of time with the family, not a time when they were worried or scared. We can do the worrying for them.

When the children have gone to bed, we have tried to relax and again, make the best of a

very strange situation. We’ve used zoom a lot.

A weekly quiz has reunited friends that don’t see each other very often (including some from New Zealand!), and looks to be continuing even when we all return to work!

We’ve chatted with friends and family online on numerous occasions trying to recreate our usual offline visits!

We’ve also tried to support some local businesses throughout lockdown that have had to adapt quickly to ensure people can still enjoy them.

Personal favourites include Gringos Nacho Factory who delivered us a Mexican feast, Linzers Bakery that has kept us topped up with bakery goods and a treat continental breakfast and Big Time Brownies who sent us some amazing gluten free brownies!

Check them all out online, you will not regret it!

We’d love to know what you’ve been up to during lockdown!

Thanks for reading!

Tom www.seewhatmummysays.com @whatmummysaysuk PAGE

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NOVA SILVER

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Issue 86 2020

Nova Silver As we are moving from spring into summer, it is fantastic to see so many people out and about enjoying the beautiful county we are so lucky to live in.

Whilst it is somewhat strange times, many of us have the once in a lifetime chance to see Norfolk bloom into summer right before our eyes. This is a rare luxury that we might never have the chance to see in such detail again.

The beauty of the natural semi-precious stones is often a direct reflection of the natural environment and there is never a better time to be inspired in your jewellery by both the gardens and the countryside around us.

I love to spot the Erysimum (Bowle’s Mauve) flower when out and about. It is such a garden staple and a vibrant purple colour that instantly reminds me of our fabulous purple Amethyst. Much like in your garden, you can team purple Amethyst Jewellery up with blue or even mint green clothing for that perfect look.

Rose Quartz is a beautiful light pink colour that is so versatile. In the garden, you can see Penstemons of a similar colour coming into flower this month, often mistaken for a foxglove, Penstemons brighten up any space with a multitude of colours but the pale pink varieties are my absolute favourite. Like in nature you can match your powder pink Rose Quartz jewellery with so many colours but it works fabulously to brighten up cream through to brown outfits.

Like flowers in nature, Chalcedony is a stone of many colours and initially you may think of only blue and green colouring. In-store we have some fabulous purple Chalcedony stones, a fantastic pale blue/purple and instantly remind me of the colour of Felicia amelloides. Known as the flower of happiness, it’s easily spotted with its distinctive daisy like flower blue/purple petals and a fantastic yellow centre. Team purple chalcedony up with bright pink, vibrant yellow or a classic grey.

There’s no better place than nature to give you inspiration to help you to choose both your jewellery and your outfits.

Contact Details:

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Email: info@novasilver.co.uk

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Best Of Norfolk - Through The Lens Of Our Readers With a huge influx of photographs from our followers on Facebook, our new monthly feature returns for its sixth month; one which we love to see and hope you all do too.

Take a look at these marvellous May images.

Becki Carey - My Dad took this while on his walk

Jon Clifton - From one of my village walks in Snettisham PAGE

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BEST OF NORFOLK

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Jules Rickman-Jenkins - From my sunset walk around Oulton Broads

Becki Carey PAGE

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Caroline Pocock - Strolling down the Tiffey in Wymondham

Vicki Bell

Karen Bircham - A view from my running adventures PAGE

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BEST OF NORFOLK Issue 86 2020

Gina Upex - Boardwalk to the beach, Great Yarmouth

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Karen Bircham - A view from my running adventures

Kevin Raisborough - Overlooking Caister ruins PAGE

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Laura Anne - Riddlesworth taken on our bike ride

Maria Holloway PAGE

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BEST OF NORFOLK Issue 86 2020

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Shiela Denny - Walcott Beach, sun going down Laura Anne - The Red Arrows flying over East Harling

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Karen Bircham - A view from Gina Upex adventures my running

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Maria Holloway

Gina Upex Sonia Elliott - taken by my 11 year old son

To be in with a chance of having your own photographs featured in the future, look out for our regular Facebook posts where you can add your images. Alternatively, send an email with your image and caption to: submissions@icenimagazine.co.uk PAGE

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Focus On: Careers

THE JOURNEY TO...

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The Journey To Your Career Aspirations Is Equally As Important As Achieving Your Ultimate Career Goal “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

- Confucius For many people, career means employment. It means the various jobs they may hold during their lifetime.

better jobs elsewhere. However, not everyone wants to climb the company ladder - and why should they?

However, these definitions do not fully capture the meaning of career.

It may be that this is not their objective in life, and they get job satisfaction from other things, such as helping people or being creative.

In a broader, more life-encompassing way, a career can be defined as the sum total of decisions that direct an individual’s educational, social, economic, political, and spiritual endeavours and reflect their unique personality characteristics and basic life values.

The idea of a career for many people means moving up a ladder. Each job they do enables them to gain further skills and experience, which in turn also enables them to go for promotions in the same organisation or

So, a career should not just be about ladderclimbing, it should be about finding out whats your passion is, what you are good at and making sure you excel in that area.

“Work to become, Elbert Hubbard

not

to

acquire”

-

The workplace in the 21st century has become very competitive and a less kind place than it used to be. In some instances, old-fashioned

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values such as honesty, hard work, and dependability are no longer widely valued as they once were.

For some, the pursuit of the highest possible earnings is the sole criteria for success.

We can see this in TV programmes such as “The Apprentice” where winners and losers are judged each week solely based on which team produces the most profit for the company.

Traditional values of loyalty, compassion and a generous spirit go out of the window replaced by aggressiveness and backstabbing in order to win the grand prize!

A career goal should not be about acquiring temporary pleasures of wealth and status focusing on self - those are just by-products - it should be about having a deep, meaningful and lasting joy in the work we do.

For some of us, a career might last for our entire life, so be careful about your career choices.

It should be about the path you take in order to fulfil your professional goals and ambitions.

You may require a certain level of education or training to achieve these goals, but it’s also about the benefits you gain on the journey

beyond money, such as personal pride, work satisfaction and self-worth.

“I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work and be proud that I tried everything”. - Jon Stewart Everyone would like to have that long-term professional journey based on their passions.

Sadly, a large number of people never realised their career aspirations for a number of reasons, one of which is that necessity forces them to take whatever work they can get.

They are grateful for the salary they receive at the end of the month even though the job does not give them any personal satisfaction or feeling of fulfilment. For these people, it is just a job and not a career - a means of survival - a way of putting bread on the table and keeping a roof over their heads.

The journey to your career aspirations is equally as important as achieving your ultimate career goal.

“Because if the decisions you make about where you invest your blood, sweat, and tears are not consistent with the person you aspire to be, you’ll never become that person.” Clayton Christensen

Article by Serena Fordham, Founder and MD of HER Business Revolution, Glow Virtual Assistants and Mums Empowerment Movement CIC. www.herbusinessrevolution.biz www.glowva.co.uk www.mumsempowermentmovement.co.uk

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ICENI ASKS

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Issue 86 2020

What job did you dream of having when you were a child?

“For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher and I achieved that dream.

I’m very lucky in that respect.” Nancy

“When I was really young, I remember watching a programme about space and so I longed to be an astronaut!” Craig

“I had many ambitions... from cleaning cars to baking cakes, from being an actor to creating video games. I think I probably dreamt the entire careers dictionary during childhood!” Jake

“I honestly didn’t have a clue what I wanted to become and I still don’t. I have just muddled on through, earning money to keep a roof over my head and food on my plate.” Jacqui

“Creative writing in my primary school English lessons sparked my interest in becoming a writer. I’m still working on it, but hopeful I will get there in the end.” Michaela

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STARTING AGAIN...

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Starting Again As Lockdown Restrictions Lift

As lockdown restrictions start to lift, it's becoming increasingly apparent that there are distinct differences in our attitudes towards moving forward.

Other people will be keen, even desperate to get back to work after weeks of non-trading, in a bid to resurrect their businesses and introduce some normality back into their homes, relationships and lives.

Some businesses have continued trading throughout and many have thrived due to extra demand for their essential advice, care, goods and services. This requirement may now have to be reviewed and ultimately modified as demand for those specific items gradually wanes.

They may have struggled, trying to home educate their children, manage a difficult domestic relationship, juggle their finances and now need to regain some ground, recover as much as possible and start anew.

For those who've had an exceptionally busy year, successfully tailored their offerings to meet specific demands, who've adjusted the way they trade, taken on extra staff to cope with the unprecedented demands for supplies, support or essential goods, it may well be time to refocus.

Is this level of demand likely to continue or is it time to yet again readjust and plan for a further change in direction?

Some will have stopped trading altogether and may never be able to open their doors again.

They may have furloughed staff but have since realised that any optimism about a future return to work was unfounded and is not viable.

In the retail sector, many customers are likely to continue shopping online, a decision which impacts on the rental income of landlords too.

Hospitality and fitness have been affected too.

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STARTING AGAIN...

Issue 86 2020

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Then there are those people who have become tense, nervous, apprehensive, who feel scarred and scared at the prospect of leaving their homes. They are consumed by fear and dread at potential dangers out there, may have experienced personal tragedy and can't see a way to move beyond those feeling and resume 'normality'.

How do we start again after such an unprecedented start to 2020, a new decade that began with such promise, effectively wiped out overnight?

The figures speak for themselves.

More than half of Britain's working population of approximately 35 million are on the state payroll, with one million being added on one day alone in April, at a cost to each household of ÂŁ1500 as at the start of May. Approximately a third of pubs have permanently closed. Roughly 600,000 18-24-year olds could be left jobless and there's been a 97% reduction in new car registrations since this time last year.

The Bank of England has warned that we're on the brink of the worst recession since the great frost of 1709, which is why there's a need to get back on track in the best possible way.

Even though the furlough scheme has been extended until the end of October 2020, with Government loans already in excess of ÂŁ330 billion, or 15% of the UK's GDP, it's clear that there's a very real need for the country to get back to work and fully trading again. l Many are in favour of a staggered 'stay alert' approach to work to avoid overcrowding on public transport, office spaces and in general thoroughfares like shops, streets and public places. This may require the introduction of flexible shift patterns.

Any decisions need to tie in with business requirements, childcare arrangements and other personal responsibilities and considerations.

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l Staff support is important. As well as social distancing, personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers and even counselling may be required by staff who've experienced loss or serious health issues. I offer individually tailored workshops and sessions designed to support with this. Some staff may start their return on a part-time basis as an affordable way to bring the business back to life. If staff are working from home, they'll need a suitable work area, appropriate kit and software capability.

Data security, training and technical support probably need to be factored in. l Decisions on how to move forward operationally and hold successful meetings, networking, keep contact with existing clients and forge new relationships all need to be agreed. Software, databases, internet access and communication systems are all crucial in adapting to a more online business presence, whilst social distancing is essential in supporting customers, as well as staff in every area of personal contact. l Staff communications and briefings are especially important as many staff will be apprehensive about several issues, from their personal health and safety through to job security. Specific concerns may be relevant to different areas of the business. Regular updates are a good way of reassuring staff that management is aware of their concerns. Keep staff updated, whether by meetings, emails

Issue 86 2020

How do we start again after such an unprecedented start to 2020, a new decade that began with such promise, effectively wiped out overnight? or in-person conversations, but avoid too long or formal directives which could appear impersonal or formulaic. l Focus on nurturing a positive team mentality. Businesses with an established reputation for treating their staff well will be in a favourable position. Good relationships with both employees and customers matter in times of crisis, with staff often prepared to work harder and both customers and staff ready to be more patient, understanding and loyal.

Some staff may return to work with changed priorities. They may not be as motivated by money, status or even the job itself and be less keen to travel or work long hours. This may be a temporary situation, but the needs of both the business and staff may both require a little time and sensitivity to discover their new 'normal'.

Article By Susan Leigh Susan Leigh, counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor, 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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EAT YOUR FROG

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Issue 86 2020

Eat Your Frog Or Sandwich Your Frog The energised way to a better career.

What does eat your frog mean to you?

Mark Twain once said that if you do your most difficult task first thing in the morning (eat your frog) then you’ve put it behind you and the rest of the day will be better.

However, this evokes a strong reaction in me as a Strengths coach with a background in psychology. If we do the things we don’t enjoy first thing, this will make us feel de-energised and potentially if it's something we find difficult or really hate, it could even switch on the fight or flight response in our brain. Something we don’t need at the moment with a lot of fear around already.

For example, someone may have Adherence as a weakness and may not enjoy the aspects of their role where they have to follow some kind of compliance or rules, perhaps they have to do some kind of audit checks. If this was your

weakness, this would probably be something that would be seen as your ‘frog’ and if you took on the Twain philosophy, you would do this first and get it out of the way.

Or perhaps you are a procrastinator and in fact you would cherry pick all day the nice work until you HAD to eat your frog at the end of the day.

The research on Strengths found that when people use their Strengths not only are they happier but they have higher performance in their roles (19187 employees studied by the Corporate leadership Council 2002) and they stay in the company longer (Stefanyszyn, 2007).

When we use our strengths, we are increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in our brains, so whilst we are actually enjoying what we are doing and feeling happier, the brain is becoming fuelled and we are more productive having more energy to help us with our tasks.

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If we start the day with something that aligns to our strengths we will get this extra boost of energy and neurotransmitters in the brain as well as us being happier.

This is where a frog Sandwich comes in, if we saying here the ‘frog’ is something that calls upon our weaknesses then using this first thing in the morning is going to only drain our energy and we are likely to drain our brain reserves for the fuel we need for the rest of the day.

If we start the day with something that aligns to our strengths, we will get this extra boost of energy and neurotransmitters in the brain as well as us being happier.

With an energy level that is already high and the neurotransmitters increased we then have the energy to tackle our ‘frog’ in the middle of the day and then sandwiching again with something that uses our strengths afterwards so that we end our day with energy and brain fuel so that when we go home we still have energy and brain fuel for our family and friends and to enjoy our evening.

What do you think? What’s your frog? Have you heard or even tried out this Mark Twain phrase?

How could you apply your strengths?

If you would like to find out what your strengths are please get in touch I can help: www.thehappinessbranch.com

EAT YOUR FROG Issue 86 2020

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A CAREER IS...

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A Career Is...

A career is something I never spent much time brainstorming or planning for during my youth.

I didn’t obsess about achieving goals, strive to fulfil my potential, or even fully recognise my strengths and capabilities. I attribute much of this reluctance to my general dislike of school, and subsequent disengagement from academia.

Hence the total acceptance of my daughter’s seemingly natural aversion to mainstream schooling. When I hastily left school, I decided to qualify in Hairdressing and Cosmetology, having witnessed my mother’s hairdressing career and thereby possessing insight and knowledge of the industry. It wasn’t until I had secured a practical skill that I began contemplating my genuine interests, and made the decision to study alongside work.

English Literature, Creative Writing, Art and Psychology were my studies of choice, and I still hold a firm interest in all of these subjects whilst practising Beauty Therapy as my line of work. I continue to enjoy my job, but I don’t feel I have finished evolving my career. There are many areas both within and outside the beauty industry I would like to delve into, however I

feel no sense of urgency or pressure. I tend to value happiness in the present moment above all other factors of life, and similarly I believe happiness within a career should be valued above status or income.

With two young children and home education in the spotlight, I know where my personal priorities lie for the foreseeable future. One day, when the time comes to reassess priorities, I hope to further develop my skills.

This fairly relaxed attitude also contributes to my home education ethos. I hope that over time, with plenty of freedom, support and encouragement, my children can realise their true passions and feel content with their chosen careers. Of course, I do make constant suggestions concerning activities and classes, subjects to discuss or study, and skills to practise.

Some are embraced and some are rebuffed, which is totally acceptable to a homeschooler who considers and respects the individuality of their children. Perhaps this is the key advantage of home education. I often wonder how different my career choices might have been, given the opportunity from a young age to simply explore and place focus on the things I am naturally

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A CAREER IS...

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Issue 86 2020

drawn to. What if by listening to our children’s innate desires, we can help deliver them to exactly where they are meant to be?

What is a career? “Career means your job. A job means work. Work is hard, but work is also money. And some people need that”

I like to imagine what career paths my children might follow, and my daughter’s place in the world is sure to revolve around something creative or artistic. Despite her love of the practical and academic studies we participate in, there is no hiding her natural inclination to write poems, tell stories, dance, sing, and even beatbox her way through every window of free time (which under current circumstances equates to the majority of each day).

What would you like your career to be when you grow up? “I want to be a lawyer.

But I’d also like to work at a nail bar, and I think I’d like to be a nurse or a doctor.”

My son on the other hand, is sure to follow a career involving meticulous organisation. I envision something mechanical, offering both structure and order. He will attempt to reverse engineer almost anything.

In contrast to his ‘wild streak’ which includes insane anger levels and adoration of all things outdoorsy, messy and natural, he is a big fan of lining up his toys in neat rows, building towers, and adhering to routines. Things must be as he expects them to be. So on second thought, maybe a managerial role would be suitable.

This is all speculation of course, as I am actively and purposefully taking a back seat to their preferences and ideas.

With that in mind, I thought I’d share the answers my daughter provided when asked the following questions regarding career.

Beau, age 6:

How important is a career? “Very, because we need money. Not for shopping, especially not clothes shopping, but to pay for things we need to survive.”

What is mummy’s career? “Beautician. But I don’t like it, because she never lets me help her at work.”

How will you train for your career?

“I don’t want to go to college, so I’ll study from home.”

Can a person change their career? “Yes, if they’re not happy with their career. Or if they get fired, or they’re not earning enough money, then I guess they can change their career.”

If you could try any career for one day only, what would you choose? “Receptionist. I always wanted to be a receptionist.”

So there we have it, some thoughts about careers from the perspective of a home educated child. Watch this space for my aspiring naildecorating, medically-trained legal practitioner.

The ‘training at home’ part could prove challenging. But as always, we’ll be enjoying our journey, not our race to the finish line.

Article By Missy Hitchcox Missy Hitchcox is a Norfolk mother of two. She has a background of English Literature and Creative Writing studies. Her professional career has centred on the Beauty industry, and she now home educates her children.

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ICENI - HOROSCOPES

www.icenimagazine.co.uk

Issue 86 2020

Horoscopes For June Aries 21 March - 20 April As a dynamic sign that loves

Libra 24 September - 23 October A project of yours

action, you may feel frustrated by the slower pace of events.

The Lunar Eclipse on June 5th, can find you eager for a breakthrough and a chance to take on new challenges. As the focus shifts to your family zone, the coming weeks are more a time of preparation for making a bigger splash. The Solar Eclipse on the 20th, can see you moving ahead with homely projects.

But with Mars in Aries from week three, you’ll be ready to roll.

could reach a stunning conclusion around June 5th, leaving you pleased at your level of success. Any experience gained might be useful for other plans, and find you better equipped to tackle them. As the Sun moves into your sector of goals and ambition from June 20th, this is your time to shine Libra.

Although current retrograde planets can slow things down, you are still in a good position to make steady progress and to push ahead with a key goal or ambition.

Taurus 21 April - 21 May With Venus your guide planet rewinding until week three, continue to take care around money matters and avoid hasty moves. This, and a lunation across your financial axis on June 5th, might push you to review spending and make decisions that enhance security.

As your sector of talk and thought is emphasized by the Solar Eclipse on the 20th, it’s a good time to get moving on an idea that could have a very positive impact over coming months.

Gemini 22 May - 21 June Has a relationship issue marred your ability to connect with another? This month you may get to grips with this, and be ready to clear the air. A surge of emotion brought about by the Lunar Eclipse on the 5th, could find you talking about your feelings, and it is this that might make the difference. With Mercury rewinding on the 17th, getting to grips with money matters can also boost your mood, with the Solar Eclipse on the 20th bringing new hope and a fresh financial start.

Cancer 22 June - 23 July This month brings the chance of a much needed reset, so that your routines become more finely tuned, with greater productivity and more time to unwind and recharge. The Sun/Moon opposition on the 5th, can push you to take charge of those areas of life that aren’t working so well.

It’s also a chance to tie up loose ends so that when the Sun enters your sign on June 20th, you’ll be ready for a new start. The Solar Eclipse in week three could compel you to take a big step forward.

Leo 24 July - 23 August You may become aware of those who are worth their weight in gold, and others in your social circle who you could do without Leo. The Lunar Eclipse on the 5th, may find you gradually letting go of certain contacts, and connecting more deeply with others. From June 20th, you’ll enter a time of completion, with the Solar Eclipse inspiring you to let go of whatever no longer serves. Releasing emotional baggage and finding closure on key issues can pave the way for a new beginning.

Virgo 24 August - 23 September Ready to take a place in the spotlight? The Sun in your sector of goals along with an Eclipse on June 5th, can enhance your standing and reputation. This lunar phase also encourages you to balance work and family time so that everyone is happy. As lively Mercury rewinds from June 17th, you could connect to someone from the past which might lead to you renewing a friendship. Ready to move in new circles? An encounter around June 20th, could have quite an impact.

Scorpio 24 October - 22 November A potent lunar phase on June 5th, can inspire you to pare back spending and create a budget that leaves you in control. With Jupiter and Pluto travelling together in reverse, a key decision may bring dynamic change. Do you need to review a project in progress? Cutting out anything unnecessary could simplify things and make it easier to succeed. From week three, be ready to aim high and to grasp a golden opportunity that can be so good for you.

Sagittarius 23 November - 21 December A relationship could sparkle with promise and grow stronger, even if you have faced certain challenges. While there is potential for mixed messages, understanding can grow the more you are willing to talk about your feelings. You may be aware that something needs to shift though Archer, and an Eclipse in week three in your sector of transformation and rebirth, could trigger a decision to let go of something that is holding you back. You certainly won’t regret it.

Capricorn 22 December - 20 January Do you need more balance in your life? The early part of the month can coincide with events that encourage you to achieve it. Finding the time to relax and recharge is just as important as accomplishing your goals, and you may do better in all ways if you make this a priority.

Relationships are also key to your happiness, and the Solar Eclipse in week three can coincide with a decision that could bring you closer to someone, or perhaps find you turning over a new leaf.

Aquarius 21 January - 19 February The dynamic lunation on June 5th, looks to be an excellent time to promote your skills or an enterprise, as others could become interested in what you have to offer. Looking for romance? An encounter can sizzle with promise, but even so, take things one step at a time. Have a bold plan in mind? Week three might be the best time to set it in motion, as a potent Solar Eclipse enables it to get off to the best possible start. If you need extra mind-power, Mars in Aries can deliver.

Pisces 20 February - 20 March The Sun in your family zone inspires you to reflect on the best path forward, especially at the time of the Lunar Eclipse on June 5th. It may become obvious what needs to change, and going ahead can find you happier all round. From week three, your creative and entrepreneurial side are more in focus, and with a turbo-charged New Moon on June 20th, this might be the perfect time to showcase your special talents. With a sound strategy, positive progress is possible.

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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