ISSN 2044–7965
NEW!
ISSUE 7 APRIL 2011 FREE
magazine
LOCAL LIFE
OUT AND ABOUT IN DOWNHAM MARKET! LOCAL DAYS OUT
Discover the amazing gardens of Houghton Hall! LOCAL PEOPLE
We interview crime novelist Jim Kelly!
THE ROYAL WEDDING:
West Norfolk gets ready to The inspiring team promoting the talents celebrate! of local youngsters! LOCAL SPORT
LIFESTYLE
FOOD
HISTORY
EVENTS
LOCAL LIFE
editorial 01553 601201
editor@klmagazine.co.uk Eric Secker Charlotte Thorneycroft Ann Weaver Alex Dallas Christine Glass David Learner Karen Reeves Michael Middleton Richard Parr Ian Ward Graham Murray
advertising 01553 601201 sales@klmagazine.co.uk Grant Murray Laura Dunn Becky Drew KL magazine cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and KL magazine takes no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. If you’d like to order prints of any photograph featured in KL magazine, contact us at the address below. Please note this applies only to images taken by our own photographers.
Welcome! S
pring is well and truly with us now, and everyone’s thoughts are turning to the great outdoors – and in West Norfolk, the outdoors is truly great. If you like taking in some local colour and learning something about the region’s heritage, a simple walk through some of the lesser-known streets of King’s Lynn (page 50) or a trip to Denver Windmill (page 54) is ideal. If you’re looking for some ideas for your garden, you’ll find a visit to Houghton Hall (page 30) will fill you with inspiration, and if you need to unwind after all that activity, a book by local author Jim Kelly (page 56) comes highly recommended. All that and a Royal wedding too! It’s going to be a busy month. Congratulations should go to Gillian Goold of Great Massingham, who won last month’s competition with NG Motorsport (the answer was Super Pro-ET Dragster in case you’re still wondering). And finally, we should point out that the feature on Mary Relph in our March issue was actually written by Richard Parr – and not John Hocknell as stated. Hope you enjoy the magazine – and the return of the sun! THE KL TEAM
Contact us at KL magazine, 37 Broad Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1DP TEL: 01553 601201 E-MAIL: features@klmagazine.co.uk KLmagazine April 2011
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KLmagazine April 2011
Contents
April 2011
local life 7-9
30
WHAT’S ON Forthcoming events in West Norfolk
11-14 THE ROYAL WEDDING Local ways to enjoy April’s big event 22
LOCAL LANDMARKS A fascinating look inside the Red Mount
30
GARDENING Exploring the gardens of Houghton Hall
34-41 FOOD & DRINK Recipes, reviews and recommendations 65
THE BIG DEBATE Kate Cleaver looks at the incinerator issue
50 local people
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16
THE BIG INTERVIEW KL magazine talks to Simon Thurley
50
LOCAL HISTORY A walk through Lynn’s forgotten streets
54
DENVER WINDMILL Getting a taste of living heritage
58
ARTS PROFILE A profile of local crime writer Jim Kelly
60-63 SPORT The work of the Schools Sports Partnership
56
kl regulars 29
PETS Help and advice with local vet Alex Dallas
42-45 EXPLORER This month we visit Downham Market 47
HEALTH & BEAUTY Cosmetic treatment without the scalpel
66
WILD WEST NORFOLK Michael Middleton’s lighter view of things
KLmagazine April 2011
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APRIL
BOX OFFICE: (01603) 63 00 00
Sat 2 April ORQUESTA BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB The best of Cuban music £6.50 - £32.50 Sun 3 April BRITTEN SINFONIA Bach and Mozart £6 - £25 Mon 4 April FLAWLESS Stunning street dance £5.50 - £20 Tues 5 - Sat 9 April THE BLUES BROTHERS Smash hit musical £6.50 - £26 Sun 10 April MICHALA JANE SCHOOL OF DANCE Song and dance £5.50 - £15 Sun 17 April AL MURRAY Barrel of Fun tour £6.50 - £25.50
Mon 18 April MICKY FLANAGAN Cockney stand up £5.50 - £17.50 Tues 19 - Thur 21 April ENGLISH TOURING OPERA Mozart, Puccini and Tobias Picker £6.50 - £32.50 Fri 22 April ESSENCE OF IRELAND Irish dance £5.50 - £22 Sat 23 - Sun 24 April THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD Scary fun for youngsters £5.50 - £10 Tues 26 - Sat 30 April SWAN LAKE ON ICE Imperial Ice Stars £6.50 - £29.50
Book online: www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
ON SCREEN April 2011
love film. love luxe. The local cinema experience for serious movie fans
! Fair Game ! You Meet a Tall Dark Stranger ! Rabbit Hole ! Hereafter ! The Adjustment Bureau ! The Tempest ! Battle: Los Angeles ! West is West ! Inside Job ! Anuvahood 6
As lavish as something from the golden days of Hollywood, The Luxe Cinema is an elegantly stylish film lover’s delight. The Luxe Lounge bar sets the mood for a social drink with friends whilst the cinema itself offers luxurious and spacious leather sofas and armchairs – including a selection of Premier Sofas with waitress service! Allowing moviegoers to sit back and relax in true style, enjoying a glass of wine or a coffee whilst watching a wide programme of mainstream, arthouse and classic films. If you love film, you’ll love Luxe.
The Luxe 01945 588808
Alexandra Road Wisbech Cambridgeshire PE13 1HQ
www.theluxecinema.com KLmagazine April 2011
WHAT’S ON
April 10 GAYTON HALL GARDENS Gayton Hall, Norfolk (1–5pm) A fabulous opportunity to enjoy the 20 acres of fine water gardens, woodlands, lakes and footpaths in this beautiful setting – and see many unusual trees and shrubs in addition to the spring bulbs and fine border plantings. Tickets available at the gate £4 (children under 16 free). All profits to Mayor Zipha Christopher’s chosen charity West Norfolk Young Carers. Details from Jean Ellis on 01553 768155
11–14 SAILING/KAYAKING TASTERS Brancaster Staithe Join an experienced team for an hour-long sailing session in a Drascombe Longboat around the beautiful Brancaster harbour. All safety equipment is provided. Prices vary – contact Alex Green for more details on 01485 210719.
15–17 BURNHAM MARKET HORSE TRIALS Sussex Farm, Burnham Market An adrenalin-fuelled day out for all the family and one not to be missed by equestrian enthusiasts. Some of the country’s top riders will compete in this 3-day international competition sponsored by SPC Holdings. There are more than 40 trade stalls, a falconry display, as well as a whole host of entertainment for younger visitors including face painting and a bouncy castle. Tickets from £4 – for more information contact Musketeer Event Management on 01485 210070
selected by Charlotte Thorneycroft SNETTISHAM ART EXHIBITION The Royal British Legion Hall, Church Road, Snettisham (10am–5.30pm) Art exhibition of watercolours, acrylics and pastels – including a tribute to Turner, where members have either recreated his work or undertaken their own paintings in his style. Also craft displays. Admission free, but donations to the Royal British Legion welcome. More details from Mike Gaskin on 01485 544721 or by e-mail to mikeg@mikegaskin.plus.com
24 –25
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20 GRUFFALO DAY Holkham National Nature Reserve (11am–3pm) Discover more about the animals featured in the popular children’s story – the mouse, fox, owl and snake and maybe even the Gruffalo himself! Signposted from Wells beach car park entrance to the National Nature Reserve.
OPEN DAY King’s Lynn Sea Cadets TS VANCOUVER (10am-4pm) On St Margaret’s Lane/South Quay, a day of activities including band display,rifle drill, unit tours, stalls, refreshments and lots more. All proceeds to sending the sea cadets to the training ship TS Jerwood
22–25
NAPOLEONIC RE-ENACTMENT Houghton Hall The Napoleonic Re-enactment Group in the Park offers a fascinating display of life in the camp of a Napoleonic army 1800-1815. From the duties of a gunner in the Grande Armee to the struggles of the female followers, there’s plenty to see – and lots to learn while you’re enjoying the fantastic surroundings. Contact Houghton Hall for further information on 01485 528569. ILLUSTRATED TALK Hunstanton Methodist Church Hall, Austin Street (7.30pm) The West Norfolk NWT group invites you to an illustrated talk by Tony Cook entitled Across the Prairies to Yellowstone, following a remarkable journey via the Grand Tetons, showing the spectacular wildlife and scenery. Tickets £1.50 (members) £2 visitors, including refreshments.
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If you’ve got an event to publicise, send the details to features@klmagazine.co.uk KLmagazine April 2011
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WHAT’S ON
ABOVE: Amanda Arterton as Eliza Doolittle in a 1980 production of My Fair Lady – thirty-one years later, she’s in the director’s chair for the King’s Lynn Operatic & Dramatic Society’s 2011 production of the world-famous musical
My Fair Lady makes a welcome return to Lynn...
It’s an important local production, and the Director played the lead role over 30 years ago. Richard Parr meets the cast of My Fair Lady...
I
t’s a milestone anniversary and the King’s Lynn Operatic & Dramatic Society have chosen an iconic musical show with which to celebrate. Rehearsals are in full flow for the Society’s production of the famous Lerner & Loewe rags-to-riches musical My Fair Lady. The well-known professional actress and doyenne of the local theatre scene, Amanda Arterton is the Director of this sparkling new production, ably supported
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by the military musician Chris Ellis. Chairman of the King’s Lynn Operatic & Dramatic Society Margaret Fox says the society is delighted Miss Arterton agreed to direct the show in the year the Society celebrates its 110th Anniversary. “As a society, we always try and bring leading talent to the local stage,” says Margaret, “and for this special anniversary production Amanda’s wealth of stage experience can only be a recipe for
entertainment success. It’s an added benefit that this is actually one of Amanda’s favourite musicals of all time.” Miss Arterton is an award-winning actress whose face is very familiar to local audiences. Over the years, she has played leading roles for the King’s Lynn Operatic & Dramatic Society, the King’s Lynn Players, Hanover Productions (the award-winning company she founded with her husband
KLmagazine April 2011
ABOVE: Kevin Shippey (Professor Higgins) and Lauren Hoskins (Eliza Doolittle) enjoy a ‘luverly’ break from rehearsals
Colin and Dr. John Burgess) and the West Norfolk Gilbert & Sullivan Society. My Fair Lady is being staged at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange from April 20th to 23rd. It tells the story of how Professor Higgins, a phonetics expert, helps transform a cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle into a society lady. The show is packed full of well-loved songs including Wouldn’t it be Loverly, I Could Have Danced All Night, Get Me to the Church on Time and The Rain in Spain. The show’s famous black and white Ascot scene was recreated recently at Fakenham races, when fully-costumed leading lady Lauren Hoskins (18), accompanied by William Storey as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, were special guests on the course. They judged the best turned out horse and stable lad in the parade ground before the race. Members of the cast have also been invited to the famous Easter Monday race meeting at Fakenham. A drama student at King’s Lynn Springwood High School, Lauren was only recently on stage playing the role of Pandora in the King’s Lynn Players’ production of Adrian Mole. At only 14, she played the title role in Thoroughly Modern Millie with the Players. The role of Professor Higgins is played by experienced actor Kevin Shippey, an artistic director of the Angles Theatre in Wisbech. William Storey, who recently appeared in a leading role in a new production of Noises Off is cast as Eliza’s suitor Freddy Eynsford-Hill with Karl Brittin as Alfred P Doolittle. Karl is currently working on the Olympic site in Stratford. The role of Colonel Pickering is played by veteran actor John Burgess, who has played many leading roles since his career started over fifty years ago. The part of Professor Higgins’ mother is played by Vanessa DuPont. Vanessa is well known to audiences of the West Acre Theatre. Members of the chorus have all had experience of a variety of roles with various local drama groups. Everything is shaping up for the production to be a high quality show and the cast are thoroughly enjoying the rehearsals. “There’s very much a happy atmosphere among the cast during rehearsals,” says Margaret Fox. “They’re all working hard to meet Miss Arterton’s enthusiastic and demanding direction, but they’re also having great fun.” KL KLmagazine April 2011
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Details
To book seats for My Fair Lady contact the Corn Exchange box office on 01553 764864. For details of the Fakenham races Easter Monday meeting contact david@fakenhamraces.co.uk
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KLmagazine April 2011
WHAT’S ON
DOWNHAM MARKET ROYAL WEDDING DAY 29th April The centre of Downham Market will be alive with wedding fever on the day of the Royal Wedding with events taking place throughout the day from 10am-4pm. A live screening of the wedding will take place on large screens in the town hall and refreshments will be available all day. On the market square there’ll be stalls and rides as well as a prince and princess competition. Children are invited to arrive at Downham’s market square in their best regalia to win the title of Prince and Princess. The two chosen will then hold the titles for a year, attending selected events to represent the town. Any budding William or Kate aged under 12 years is invited to enter!
HUNSTANTON ABOVE: Since chances are that you weren’t lucky enough to receive one of these, you’ll be pleased to learn there are lots of other ways to enjoy the Royal Wedding later this month.
ROYAL WEDDING – 29th April 2011
You’re invited – to take part!
A royal round-up of local celebrations to enjoy
KING’S LYNN ROYAL CONNECTIONS An Exhibition at the Custom House 9th April–22nd July 2011 This year, the tourist information centre has naturally themed their summer exhibition – King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has more connections with the royal family than any other English borough and this exhibition explores the association through photographs, commemorative china, magazines and other ephemera. The photographs have never been displayed before. There will also be some archive film from the East Anglian Film Archive of the royal family out and about on official duties in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. No royal exhibition would be complete without featuring the great house itself, and the fascinating story of how the royal family came to buy Sandringham is told on storyboards in the Long Room. Open from Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm and 12pm4.30pm on Sundays, this is an exhibition not to be missed with plenty to interest all ages. There are quizzes for children, a discovery walk and the opportunity to dress like a king or queen – with prizes too! For more information, call 01553 763044, send an e-mail to kings-lynn.tic@west-norfolk.gov.uk or visit the website at www.visitwestnorfolk.com KLmagazine April 2011
PICNIC IN THE WALKS Sunday 1st May A picnic event in the Walks will take place between 2pm-6pm (after the Bespak GEAR) to celebrate the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton. This free-to-attend event will have music and entertainment organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk in partnership with KLFM and Festival Too. Whether you’ve successfully completed GEAR or just enjoyed spectating, this event is sure to be an enjoyable end to an energetic day and is bound to attract a big crowd for a double celebration.
ROYAL WEDDING WEEKEND 29th April–2nd May The celebrations planned in Hunstanton continue over four days and include something for everyone. On Friday 29th April between 3–5pm a traditional children’s tea party (under 11s) will be held in the town hall with a variety of traditional entertainment including a Punch and Judy show. Holme-next-the-Sea will also be joining in the fun with their own party at The White Horse Pub. On Saturday 30th April, a host of events are planned throughout the town including a craft fair, fairground rides, street theatre and a treasure hunt. Empty shops will be displaying wedding-related art with M&Co on the high street showcasing wedding dresses in the window. On the Spinney there’ll be a hog roast and taking the fun into the afternoon will be local children dancing and then singing on the green, with storytelling and crafts. The day will finish with a barbeque in the evening. Sunday is just as busy with an emergency services display, the Fakenham Auto Club, and a Wedding Parties and Proms event taking place in the town hall. Teas will be served all day in the church where you’ll also be able to enjoy a harmonious ensemble of wedding music. Deputy Mayor Carol Bower is looking forward to a fun filled weekend. “We’ve got a fantastic weekend planned for Hunstanton to celebrate the Royal Wedding and we are all very excited,” she says. “It’s a real chance to showcase the town and the community spirit we share here. Everyone involved has put a great amount of effort in to ensuring fun is had by all over the four days and we hope it will be the start to a good season to come.” A beer and cocktail festival will be taking place in The Golden Lion in Hunstanton over the long weekend. The final event of the weekend is the Mayors Gala Concert, which will take place on Monday 2nd May at 7pm in the town hall. This will be a mixed performance representing the best of the Hunstanton area such as singing by local children. For more information or to book tickets (bookings to be made in advance) contact Carol Bower on 01485 532392.
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PICTURE: MARIO TESTINO 2010
LOCAL LIFE
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KLmagazine April 2011
PICTURE: WARD C GROUP ABOVE: Royal Wedding fever is well and truly on us, and has been since the Royal couple (left) announced their engagement last November
The day the Royal couple came to Thursford... In an area with so many Royal connections, it’s hardly surprising the forthcoming events of April 29th are so eagerly anticipated. Charlotte Thorneycroft reports on the Royal couple’s recent visit to Thursford...
O
n 16th November 2010 the HRH Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton publically announced their engagement which had taken place in October whilst they holidayed in Kenya. Miss Middleton was given an 18 carat sapphire and diamond ring by the Prince which was his mother’s engagement ring. Within two weeks the date of the Royal event was given as Friday 29th April 2011 and the venue of course, Westminster Abbey. The day of the wedding has also been declared a public holiday, which was met with joy across the country as
KLmagazine April 2011
preparations for celebratory events and parties began in earnest. For the role of Best Man Prince William has chosen his brother Prince Harry and Miss Middleton has asked her sister, Miss Philippa Middleton to be her maid of honour. There are to be four bridesmaids and two page boys at the ceremony although the details of what they will be wearing are being tightly guarded until the day itself. A total of 1,900 people have been invited to the Westminster service including members of the Royal family and their friends, members of government and
representatives from the defensive services. Around 300 of these have been invited to a dinner at Buckingham Palace given by The Prince of Wales. Sandringham may well be our region’s link to the Royal family, but unlike Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Phillip who enjoy their Christmas period at West Norfolk’s most famous country house, Prince William and Miss Middleton have rarely visited our corner of England. However, in December 2010 the couple conducted their first joint visit together since announcing their engagement, meeting inspiring young cancer patients at 13
PICTURE CAPTION: Prince William and Kate Middleton at the Teenage Cancer Trust fundraising event at Thursford, meeting Lucy Smith (above right), Adam Brown (below) and Rosie Van Raalte’s family (above right)
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a Christmas fundraising event held at Thursford in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. Seven former young cancer patients from Norfolk and Hertfordshire met Prince William and Kate during a special royal gala performance of Thursford’s hugely popular Christmas Spectacular in aid of the charity. Lucy Smith (23) from Norwich said of meeting the couple: “We spoke about my treatment and how much Teenage Cancer Trust had helped me. They were very friendly, relaxed and down to earth and I enjoyed meeting them.” The unique event raised a staggering £35,000 and was the amazing finale to two years of hard work by all members of Teenage Cancer Trust’s East Anglia Appeal volunteer board who have helped raise more than £2million. Proceed from the night will go towards the construction of a specialist cancer unit for young people (aged 13-24) at Addenbrookes in Cambridge. Prince William shares with his brother, Prince Harry, his parent’s philanthropic character, and both are now either patron or president of a number of charities they wish to support mainly focusing on young people, the environment and the armed forces. Mrs John Cushing said: “They are very charming and relaxed together as a couple. Catherine has a huge amount of charm and confidence, and he is very supportive of her. I think they have a wonderful future.” For Further information on Teenage Cancer Trust visit www.teenagecancertrust.org or call 020 7612 0370.
ince the announcement of the wedding, merchandise has flooded onto the market to commemorate the occasion – from plates and mugs to Sylvanian Families (honest!) We asked antique dealer Patrick Brennan from Le Strange Old Barns in Hunstanton what to look out for if you’re tempted to purchase your own memento of the big day. “Any royal merchandise should only be seen as a very, very long term investment,” he says. “You only have to look at the memorabilia from Charles and Diana’s wedding in 1981 to see it doesn’t grow in value in the short term. I would advise people to go for limited edition items – and the better quality an item is, the more it is likely to hold its value, though this will also come with a higher price tag. I’d always recommend keepsakes that can be passed down through the generations.”
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HOLD YOUR OWN STREET PARTY!
P
eople all around the region have been planning and organising events to make sure we do it in style! Most small, private events such as street parties don’t include activities that need a licence (such as selling alcohol or certain types of entertainment). If your planned event is of this nature, is self organised and is for only friends/neighbours then in terms of the council, there is little required of you – no formal risk assessment or public liability insurance is needed. However, if your street party requires a road closure you’ll need to organise this with your local council so make sure you plan early to ensure the necessary arrangements can be put in place. Take this into consideration and think about holding your ‘street’ party in a building such as a village hall or on a playing field which won’t have the same constraints. An indoor ‘street’ party also has the added benefit of protection from our changeable weather! If you’re unsure as to what safety issues or applications need to be made for your event, you can contact the Public Event Safety Advisory Group on 01553 616200 KLmagazine April 2011
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Roger Sloper Downham Market
ABOVE: Roger Sloper thanks ICL’s Matt for another first-class installation
This month at ICL Solar Electrical Services: ICL Solar Electrical Services are winning lots more business by simply keeping up with the latest solar technology. Recently, Dean and Matt spent a week at Ecobuild at the ExCel building in London Docklands – with over 1,300 exhibitors, it was 50% bigger than last year’s event. We were able to speak directly to many manufacturers, and these contacts are going to be invaluable to us in the near future. We’re now on direct speaking terms with the kind of people that will be making the direct decisions on how the future of Solar technology will evolve. We’ve seen it all – from new high-tech materials and advanced cell technology to an innovative new glass laminate design from Scandinavia that gives even greater year-on-year yields. Discover the future of energy today – contact us now!
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PERSONALITY
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KLmagazine April 2011
Big
the
interview
In a region so rich in historic buildings and important sites, it’s good to know the past of West Norfolk is in good hands for future generations. KL magazine meets Dr Simon Thurley, Chairman of English Heritage... KL MAGAZINE: What’s the exact purpose of English Heritage?
KL MAGAZINE: What’s been your biggest achievement with English Heritage?
SIMON THURLEY: The role of English Heritage to look after the physical remains of the nation’s history – which includes getting important buildings and sites that need protection listed. Once listed, they can’t be altered without serious consideration, thereby safeguarding their history. At the moment, there are around 400 sites looked after by English Heritage which the public can visit for a small charge. Or they can become a member of English Heritage – and entry is free!
SIMON THURLEY: When I started with the organisation eight years ago, there was a feeling that heritage was something of a blockage. The message I wanted to get across to people is that heritage is about the future – you can’t do anything to change the past but you can influence the future. These historical buildings are here now for our children to understand and enjoy, and by preserving them we’re making them part of their lives and the lives of generations to come.
KL MAGAZINE: What does the role of Chief Executive involve?
KL MAGAZINE: Do you have a favourite building in King’s Lynn?
SIMON THURLEY: I’m in charge of the whole of English Heritage. I visit sites all over England that potentially need our help to assess their condition and historic importance, and what we as an organisation can do for them. I also spend a lot of time working with the government – it’s my job to advise on issues being discussed and to make sure we’re funded properly.
SIMON THURLEY: It has to be my home, Clifton House; it has so much history to tell and has so many original features like the tower which is the only remaining merchant’s tower in the town. But of course there are so many wonderful properties to choose from in King’s Lynn – The Red Mount is a building of extraordinary importance nationally and I think it is the least appreciated in the town. The walk from St Nicholas Chapel across the Tuesday Market Place then along King Street, past the Saturday Market Place to Nelson Street is one of the most beautiful walks in the country.
KL MAGAZINE: Why do you think it’s so important to protect historic buildings in England? SIMON THURLEY: You only have to look at King’s Lynn – it’s not the modern buildings like the Vancouver Quarter that people connect with, it’s the merchant’s houses on Queens Street or the Customs House that hold the story of King’s Lynn’s past. Buildings and places have always been revered by people for one reason or another and they all having meaning.
KLmagazine April 2011
KL MAGAZINE: What do you do to relax when you have some free time?
SIMON THURLEY: I enjoy being with my twins and my wife driving around Norfolk looking at old churches. We like to walk in the woods at Sandringham or on Holme Beach. We also both like to write which is very relaxing but somewhat difficult with two young children! KL MAGAZINE: Who inspires you and why? SIMON THURLEY: My brother is an aid worker in the Middle East laying water pipes across the mountains. I admire anyone, who like him, has given up a comfortable life to work in harsh and dangerous conditions to help others less fortunate. KL MAGAZINE: What would be your alternative career? SIMON THURLEY: I cannot imagine doing anything else. I have an absolute passion for the history of this country that started when I first went on an archaeological dig aged seven. I found a Roman Basilica and I knew then I wanted to work with history. KL MAGAZINE: Tell us something about yourself that would surprise people? SIMON THURLEY: I’m a big Meat Loaf fan, I’ve been to lots of concerts and I think Jim Steinman is a musical genius! I also love fast, old cars and have a vintage Mercedes SL. KL
Details ENGLISH HERITAGE (East of England) Brooklands, 24 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 8BU Tel: 01223 582700 E-mail: eastofengland@english-heritage.org.uk Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk Membership: Adult membership of English Heritage starts at just £44 with discounts for couples, students and seniors.
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KLmagazine April 2011
HISTORY
PICTURE: JOHN MAXTED
West Norfolk: Now and Then
PICTURE: COURTESY OF NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE
2011
1960 HELLO AGAIN TO DOWNHAM MARKET! To complement our look at Downham Market today (see page 42) we thought it would be interesting to see what the town used to look like, so we sent local photographer John Maxted to the town. As you can see, Bridge Street looks very
similar to how it did 50 years ago – the good news is that it’s busier today! This photograph and many others like it can be ordered from Picture Norfolk – you can contact them at the Norfolk Heritage Centre, Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, The Forum, Millennium Plain,
Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1AW. We’ll be bringing you another look at how things have changed in West Norfolk next month. IN ASSOCIATION WITH
To view thousands of images of Norfolk’s history visit: www.picture.norfolk.gov.uk KLmagazine April 2011
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KLmagazine April 2011
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A world of fabulous interiors B
y name and nature, the ‘Unique’ brand certainly lives up to its title, delivering quality products and service from each of its six stores across West Norfolk. With each showroom offering design led products ‘unique’ to its surroundings, the main Tottenhill showroom is a treasure trove of home interior products, stocking an enormous arrange of home & garden furniture together with accessories and giftware of all descriptions. In keeping with Unique’s promise to cater for everyone’s requirements, whatever their style or budget, and with each few steps meeting another inspirational room display, this showroom offers a truly ‘unique’ shopping experience, the like of which is rarely found outside of London. Unique not only offer extensive collections of large and elaborate furniture alongside smaller, more delicate home accessories and trinkets, they also offer creative and inspirational ideas.
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Unique’s experienced staff are always on hand to offer help or advice and their extensive product knowledge, which ensures everyone is able to achieve the interior look, or source the product, they desire. With accessories starting from as little as 99p, the Unique showroom at Tottenhill offers something for everyone. In addition to the main showroom, the Unique Design Studio offers the complete interior design package, including product sourcing and supply, bespoke curtains & blinds, soft furnishings and upholstery. Thousands of fabrics available from top name brands such as Osborne & Little, Sanderson, Designers Guild and Harlequin. Unique also offers a bespoke bedding and cushion service in whatever design or style you require. In addition to all this you can choose from an extensive selection of poles and finials for the perfect finishing touch. Looking for something different? Why not try our
Unique bespoke upholstery service, made to order and to exact client specification, ensuring perfect comfort whilst incorporating your design. Unique are determined to dispell the idea that interior design isn’t an affordable option for all and offer their interior design service absolutely free of charge. With experienced and approachable staff always on hand, and no appointment required, you are simply made welcome to discuss any
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KLmagazine April 2011
21
LOCAL LIFE
LOCAL LANDMARKS
The Red Mount King’s Lynn
Words: Charlotte Thorneycroft Pictures: D Kirkham
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KLmagazine April 2011
ABOVE: It’s a unique sight that many of us walk past every day – but the interior of the Red Mount is just as intriguing
T
he Chapel of St Mary on the Mount on The Walks in King’s Lynn (better known as The Red Mount) is undoubtedly one of the town’s most iconic buildings, but you may be suprised to learn it also has an equal amount of national importance. Built over two years between 1483–85 by Robert Curraunt for William Spynke (the Benedictine prior of Lynn) it is quite unique – there’s no other building in the country like it, and this is reflected in its Scheduled Ancient Monument/Grade I Listed status. Originally the chapel was used by pilgrims passing through the town on their way to the shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham, but following this it’s been used in a number of ways for different purposes – water storage, gunpowder and arms storage (during the English Civil War), as an observatory and even as a stable during the 19th century! These uses caused the Red Mount to fall into disrepair and since the 1800’s a number of restoration projects have taken
KLmagazine April 2011
place, most recently and sympathetically in 2007. During these major works, the building was re-roofed, had structural repairs undertaken and the ground floor entry passage (which was previously blocked) was partially reconstructed. This passageway – which cuts through the mound on which the chapel sits – enters the older part of the building, the Lower Chapel. Here there would originally have been an altar, and the large recess in the wall to the right may once have contained a reclining figure of the dead Christ. Throughout the building there are openings in the brickwork, which it’s thought could have contained lighting or holy statues at some time. Many of the carvings that would have also had holy references and symbols have been defaced and removed over the years (most probably during the dissolution of the monasteries), and further examples of this can be found in the Upper Chapel. From the Lower Chapel a narrow
staircase with high recessed brick handrail (similar to that in the gatehouse of Oxburgh Hall), climbs up to the first floor containing The Priests Room and The Upper Chapel on the second floor. The small first floor room was most probably used for the priests to store their valuables as it lacks the light and openness of the two chapels. At the top of the building is the crossshaped stone chapel, a later addition to the Red Mount constructed in 1506. It’s literally the property’s crowning jewel. There’s evidence that the cost of building the Upper Chapel was just over £14 – a colossal sum at the time, and an expenditure reflected in the elaborate fan-vaulted ceiling. In this room there are also several openings in the brickwork of which many would have housed sculptures of sorts, although it’s not known exactly what they were for. One or two of the nooks do have new residents today, though – bats, who’ve made a home in this historic building and are now protected. 23
ABOVE: The Red Mount is full of interesting architectural detail, and thanks to past graffiti artists the walls are quite literally full of history (below)
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Almost as interesting as the architecture itself is the graffiti covering the walls of the Upper Chapel dating back to the time of the Civil War, most of which consists of initials and dates within a shape depicting a pitched roof building topped with a flag. Opposite the altar a doorway leads to the main staircase, which is much wider than the other – indicating it may have been used by the pilgrims rather than the priests. This leads down to the exit at mound level. From the doorway here a window (a 19th century addition) looks down to the Lower Chapel. Although fairly compact in size with only the three main areas, the Red Mount is a disorientating building which Principal Project Surveyor Mark Fuller thinks may have been an intentional design feature. “When filled with pilgrims inside the chapel ascending the stairs waiting to glimpse through the small windows in the gallery, it would have been very atmospheric,” he says. “The disorientation occurring from the layout of the staircases, together with the heady incenses wafting around, music and singing would have certainly heightened the spiritual experience. It would have been a difficult journey for the pilgrims on foot, so arriving here would have been a really meaningful part of their pilgrimage onto Walsingham.” In a building as individual as this and of such age it’s hard to pin point exactly what would have happened here, how it was used, or why the Red Mount existed in King’s Lynn. But from the details that are known, pieces of the jigsaw have been put together and today the Red Mount is a fascinating piece of our town’s history, only strengthening what we already know about the significance of our town. “It’s a wonderfully unique building”, says Mark, “which I’d urge everyone to take the opportunity to explore. The Red Mount has a captivating quality and we’re pleased to be able to open up another door of Lynn’s past for the public to enjoy.” The Red Mount Chapel in the Walks, together with the South Gates on London Road will both be open to the public from 16th April until 11th September between 12pm–3pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and also Sundays throughout July and August. One ticket, priced at just £2 entitles entry to both properties although you’re not required to visit both in the same day. Volunteers are also always welcome to assist with the running of both of these historic buildings – contact Sarah Moore for more information on 01553 782079. Next month we’ll take a look at the South Gates to find out more about the building many of us drive through and take for granted on a daily basis. KL
KLmagazine April 2011
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KLmagazine April 2011
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LOCAL LIFE
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KLmagazine April 2011
Your chance to make a world of difference... Even if your sights aren’t set on Number 10, you can still have a real political impact (yes, you!) With local elections taking place next month, Charlotte Thorneycroft looks at how you can become a local councillor...
E
very four years an election is held for all 62 seats on the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. Occasionally, seats become vacant on the borough, town and parish councils at by-elections (in between four yearly elections) and these are publicised as they occur. The next election is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 5th May – and if you plan to vote then you’ve made the first step to make sure your voice is heard. However, if you’ve ever thought the issues important to you are being overlooked and you’d like to make a change then perhaps you should consider becoming a local councillor yourself. People from all walks of life are encouraged to stand, because all life experiences can bring invaluable knowledge to the role – whether it’s bringing up and looking after a family or taking part in voluntary work. To stand as a candidate you must be at least 18 years old on the day of nomination, and meet a number of other qualifying factors (you’ll find these on the council website). If you have an interest in your local community and the issues that affect the lives of people within that community then becoming a local councillor is for you. Local councils are responsible for a whole range of services from street cleaning and parks maintenance to refuse collection and planning. As a councillor you help determine how services are provided, funded and prioritised – which amounts to a substantial amount of hard work and dedication, but
KLmagazine April 2011
plenty of training and support is provided which ultimately creates a very rewarding role. Former Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Paul Brandon first became involved with his local parish council in 1988 after attending a number of meetings as a member of the public. “I had a very strong interest in my local community and wanted to know what was being decided in my village,” says Paul. “I thought I could do a good job, so I stood for election and was delighted when I was elected. Often, many hours each week were spent on council business and anyone wanting to be a councillor should only do so if they’re willing to commit 100% to the position. You have to be dedicated and do your job properly or you’re letting down your electorate. However, I found being a local councillor very rewarding and during my time on the local council we had a number of achievements such as the affordable housing for village people in Clenchwarton and the work on part of a new road to the sewage works. It’s also wonderful to see you can have just as much impact by helping an individual.” To become a councillor you must stand at a local election and compete with other candidates to gain the most votes from the electorate. In borough council elections you’ll need to decide whether to stand as a representative of a political party or as an independent candidate. The East of England Local Government Association has produced a free booklet entitled What Will You Stand For? which explains how to become a councillor and
how to contact your local party. Visit www.beacouncillor.org.uk/east for more details. Guidance in relation to becoming a parish councillor or borough councillor is available on the website of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk or by contacting the Electoral Services department. You’ll need to write to: The Electoral Services Manager, Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, King's Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1EX. If you require any further information, please contact the Electoral Registration Section by calling 01553 616773 or e-mail register.electors@west-norfolk.gov.uk MAKE SURE YOU VOTE! If becoming a councillor isn’t for you, remember you can still make a difference. By voting on May 5th you’re showing your opinion where it matters. Local issues affect you and everyone around you – but if you don’t use your vote then you can hardly complain when decisions are made that you don’t agree with. Paul Brandon has an important message as to why we should all be using our vote: “It’s more important to exercise our right to vote now more than ever. We should all bear in mind the cost of democracy around the world and take note that some are paying the ultimate price. Here we are privileged and we should take the opportunity to get our voices heard as we are lucky enough to be able to.” REMEMBER: – Make sure you’re registered to vote. – If you are not able to vote in person, you can vote by post or by proxy. – Visit www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/elections for more information and details
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Say hello to your dog’s new best friend!
The local home boarding for dogs that’s a real alternative to kennels...
You may be enjoying your holiday, but are you sure your dog’s happy with kennels? At Norfolk Pet Carers, your dog stays with us in our home with our Labrador – they’ll get all the love, care and attention that you’d give him in a home from home, with daily walks in the woods and as much playtime in the garden as he (or you!) wishes. Based in North Wootton, King’s Lynn, we are fully insured and also offer day care and overnight stays. Call Teresa for more details and prices.
Norfolk Pet Carers The kind alternative to kennels
Tel: 01553 631818 Mob: 07766 811142 Web: www.norfolkpetcarers.co.uk
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KLmagazine April 2011
AnimalMatters Our monthly look at the issues concerning you and your pets with Alex Dallas of the London Road Veterinary Centre...
PETS
Small bites The most popular name for a male dog is currently Max, then Oscar and Sam, with Molly being the favourite female name. Bailey is the most popular name used for boys and girls. For cats it’s also Max for boys, but Tiger or Tigger are up there. For the girls its Misty or Kitty, but I still like Ginger, because of my five cats!
PetProblems Q
My cat Wally is seven months old and has developed a strange lopsided look, where a tooth is pushing his lip up, making him look odd. We are worried he may be in pain. What could this be and what should I do? GRAHAM
A
How well do you care for your rabbit?
A
survey by the PDSA of over 11,000 pet owners suggests that we’re failing to care for our pet rabbits properly. Whilst dog and cat ownership was not perfect according to the survey, it’s rabbits whose needs are being most inadequately met. Concerns were raised in the areas of diet, natural behaviour and living conditions, but the main failings were with healthcare and companionship. For highly social animals like the rabbit, a great many are living on their own, in very lonely existences. This differs from the view offered by my daily work. We see some very well loved and cared for rabbits, but then these are the ones who are being taken to a vet. We can offer advice and treatment to keep these animals happy and well. But I am well aware of the “backyard prisoners” – rabbits kept in hutches with little social contact, no longer even really wanted. Even in the surgery we see rabbits with terrible dental problems, long overdue for care, or others with such incorrect diet that they are dirty and uncomfortable.
So much of this can be avoided, and at no cost. Ideally even before getting your rabbit, or at least as soon after arrival as possible, come to a free nurse clinic, where we can help you get it right. You’ll be give advice on housing, socialising, diet and healthcare to avoid the common preventable illnesses and distress. The most upsetting – but totally preventable – disease for rabbits is of course Myxomatosis. Present in wild rabbits and currently at a very high level, this can be spread to pet rabbits in gardens and hutches, even houses, by insects. It’s a horrible condition, almost always fatal, and because the rabbit is so ill euthanasia is the kindest outcome. This is always accompanied by lots of tears, made worse because an inexpensive vaccine would have prevented this. A great start to better healthcare for rabbits is to visit our website at www.makeyourpetsmile.co.uk, or Google London Road Vets and follow the links to download our rabbit health plan – and together we can make sure your rabbit is fit, well and best cared for.
It’s always hard to be certain without examining him, but this could be an injury, or his adult teeth may have come through at an abnormal angle. This can cause problems as the tooth may penetrate the gum or lip causing distress. If he’s not yet been neutered then arrange that procedure, and his teeth could be checked and sorted at the same time. Hope that helps! ALEX
Your pets This month’s pet is Chucky, who enjoys a happily free-range life just outside of Hunstanton – a far cry from her start in life, since she is a rescued battery hen. Her favourite food is spaghetti and sweetcorn, and she’s fascinated by the frogs in the garden! Thanks to Chucky’s owner Bob Tyler for sending the photograph. Don’t forget to keep sending me pictures of your pets (the funnier the better!) to Animal Matters at KL magazine, 37 Broad Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1DP or e-mail them to editor@klmagazine.co.uk
LONDON ROAD 25 London Road, King’s Lynn t: 01553 773168 e: info@lrvc.co.uk HOLLIES Paradise Road, Downham Market t: 01366 386655 e: hollies@holliesvetclinic.co.uk KLmagazine April 2011
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GARDENING
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KLmagazine April 2011
ABOVE: The imposing facade of Houghton Hall – home to some of the finest gardens in the whole country
Exploring the spectacular gardens of Houghton Hall
It was the home of Britain’s first Prime Minister, and it’s a fitting location for some of the most fantastic gardens you’ll ever see. Charlotte Thorneycroft visits Houghton Hall. Photography by Ian Ward.
B
uilt in the early 18th century by Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first prime minister, Houghton Hall is undoubtedly one of the finest houses in Norfolk (if not the country). For a house of such grandeur it’s hardly surprising the gardens are of equal magnificence and charm, and they’re enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. The impressive five acre walled garden is divided into a series of ‘garden rooms’ by yew hedges, and each area has its own distinctive theme, creating an inviting and rather intimate feel as you wander through them. KLmagazine April 2011
Renovation work on the walled garden began in 1991 after the former kitchen garden had fallen into disrepair. Lord Cholmondeley has impressively fulfilled his intention of creating a garden that commemorates the life of his grandmother, Sybil Cholmondeley – and one particular area (the Pool Garden) is his own personal memorial to her. This is represented by Sybil Cholmondeley’s initials depicted in the clipped box surrounding plantings of lavender and rosemary. A large area of the productive kitchen garden has been retained and the centrepiece of the vegetable garden is a
famous mulberry tree that originated from a tree planted by James I at Charleston House in London 1606 (it was presented to Houghton Hall by The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers). A huge fruit cage designed by Julian Bannerman dominates the fruit and vegetable garden which has a mixture of fascinating herb and vegetable areas and rows of fruit trees. Isabel and Julian Bannerman also designed and installed The Rustic Temple, making impressive use of the many deer antlers found within the park. Stretching 130 metres from the temple itself to the glasshouse on the north end are the 31
E
xcellent ideas for your garden.
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GARDENING
KLmagazine April 2011
ABOVE: The gardens of Houghton Hall are a breathtaking mix of lavish plantings and hidden secrets – there’s a spectacular view at virtually every turn!
PICTURE: MARTIN STERLING 2008
herbaceous borders – the wider north borders planted with warm reds and oranges and the south with whites and blues. It’s a stunning sight. Nearly 150 varieties of rose are planted in the Rose Garden, that features a formal centre, box-edged parterre based on the design of William Kent for the ceiling in the White Drawing Room. Also of note in this garden is the sunken octagonal pool and the classical Italian statues. Sculpture, statues and fountains are features to be found in every aspect of the ornamental gardens, with the most recent installation (2008) being ‘Water Flame’ designed by Dutch artist Jeppe Hein. Located in the Laburnum Garden this eyecatching piece of art consists of an orange flame seemingly balanced on top of a fountain of water. It’s a popular attraction that seems to be constantly surrounded by fascinated visitors. Also on your must-see list are the pleached limes, wisteria pergola and spectacular plantings of spring and summer bulbs. Outside the gardens themselves, the deer park which surrounds the Hall is a beautiful sight, with herds of White Fallow deer and other exotic species including Sika and Chinese Water Deer. The very personal influences evident throughout the gardens of Houghton Hall come through in the character of each of the exceptionally well-maintained areas, which are tended by extremely knowledgeable staff. With Spring sunshine to complement your visit, it’s abundantly clear why the gardens of Houghton Hall have received the prestigious ‘Garden of the Year Award’ from Christies and The Historic Houses Association. KL
Details HOUGHTON HALL King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6UE Tel: 01485 528569 E-mail: info@houghtonhall.com Website: www.houghtonhall.com
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FOOD & DRINK
Rosemary and Thyme Meatballs INGREDIENTS ½ x 15g pack thyme, with the leaves removed from the stalks ½ x 15g pack rosemary, with the leaves removed from the stalks 454g pack (8) Cumberland sausages, with casings removed 1 clove garlic, crushed ½ red onion, finely chopped
PICTURES: WWW.THINKVEGETABLES.CO.UK
RECIPE TIME Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Serves: 4 INSTRUCTIONS 1 Preheat the oven to 180oC, gas mark 4. 2 Chop the herbs finely and mix with the remaining ingredients. Divide into 8 and roll into balls. 3 Place on a greased baking tray and bake for 12-15 minutes until thoroughly cooked. INSTANT EXPERT Rosemary and thyme are both flavourpacked herbs and work extremely well together. Try these herby meatballs with the chicken or turkey, or make a simple tomato sauce to go with pasta for a hearty meal.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH Creamed Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon INGREDIENTS 450g Brussels sprouts, cleaned and trimmed 25g unsalted butter 1 tbsp olive oil 100g diced pancetta or dry cured bacon 100g cooked, peeled chestnuts 5-6 sage leaves, roughly chopped 120ml double cream RECIPE TIME Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Serves: 4 INSTRUCTIONS 1 Bring a pan of lightly salted water to a boil and cook the sprouts for 4-6 minutes until al dente. Drain them and set aside. 2 Heat the butter with the oil in a frying pan and add the bacon. Fry gently for 2-3 minutes until starting to crisp. Crumble the chestnuts roughly and add them to the bacon with the sage leaves. 3 Add the sprouts and cream and bring to a good simmer, season to taste before serving. INSTANT EXPERT Once the sprouts season is over you can easily switch them for kale or Savoy cabbage.
KLmagazine April 2011
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FOOD & DRINK
World of Wines
with Don Rutherford
P
inots grapes feature in some of the world’s greatest wines, including Champagne and the glorious(ly) expensive reds of Burgundy. Pinot Grigio (Grey) is probably the best known of the Pinot grapes – it is currently very much in vogue and is thought by most people to come from Italy. This is in fact only partially true, as although Pinot Grigio does come from Italy, it’s also produced in most of central Europe and has shown real form in Oregon, California, Australia and New Zealand. The lesser members of the family are Pinot Blanc which generally gives a wine with fruity aromas, often of apples and melons and Pinot Meunier which is the often unacknowledged grape in many famous Champagnes.
Pinot Noir is also becoming an international grape which is grown in many countries other than France. However, don’t expect bargain Burgundy as the ones that are cheap usually taste so, and the good ones can easily equal Burgundy prices. PINOT NOIR Alto Pampas (Argentina, 2009) In our quest for a reasonably-priced Pinot Noir we’ve tasted close to 100 different wines and this is by far and away the best one. Aromas of bay and thyme give way to strawberry and redcurrant flavours – this is a soft, young wine suitable for immediate drinking with Lamb shanks or casseroles and rates a B on my red wine scale.
BARON LAZARE Pinot Grigio, Nagyŕede (Hungary, 2008) The Hungarians have been making wine for the last 800 years at least – but under state control, a lack of investment and poor quality control contributed to a bad image which is happily fast disappearing. This wine has a pineapple aroma on the nose a clean and pleasant palate with hints of lemon and grapefruit. This is a classy Pinot from an unexpected source. Definitely a number 1 on the dryness scale, this works brilliantly as an aperitif. 36
WOHLMUTH Pinot Grigio, Styria (Austria, 2009)
GEVREY CHAMBERTIN Domaine Taupenot-Merme (France, 2002)
Austria is just across the border from Italy and has similar climatic conditions, but the Austrian wine scandal of 1985 destroyed the market for Austrian wines, ultimately forcing them to tackle low standards and reposition themselves as a quality producer. Wohlmuth are one of the world’s top producers and this wine is more full-bodied than the Baron Lazare (left) – it’s crisply fruited with aromas of grapefruit and apples and a long finish. It rates a 1.5 on my dryness scale and is perfectly suited to Chicken and Seafood dishes.
Classic Burgundy cellared for a minimum of five years has few peers and this is just such a wine. The aromas are classic Burgundian “forest floor” smells. However, the taste is something else, with layers of game, truffle and wild strawberry flavours. This rates a B on my red wine scale but the complexity and length of flavours belie the lightness of the wine, which matches perfectly with pork and chicken dishes.
Don Rutherford is the owner of Bradley’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, 10 South Quay, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. Telephone 01553 60836 or visit the website at www.bradleysbytheriver.co.uk
KLmagazine April 2011
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1 London Street, Swaffham www.thegemshoponline.co.uk We offer a 24-hour jewellery cleaning service KLmagazine April 2011
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FOOD & DRINK
RestaurantReview
In her continuing quest to discover the very best in dining that West Norfolk has to offer, Ann Weaver enjoys a taste of the Orient in West Winch...
F
or a Chinese restaurant, the side of the A10 is an unusual setting and I have to admit, had I not had The Oriental Palace highly recommended to me by a good friend, it probably wouldn’t have been high on the list of my places to try. The idea of an all-you-can-eat buffet doesn’t scream refined fine dining, so I preferred to think of it as a varied selection of meals! Inside, the buffet concept was clearly based on large numbers of diners coming through the door and the layout was somewhat cosy! We were shown to our table (which I thought was quite small for four of us) and given the menus to peruse whilst our drinks orders were taken. Although a buffet menu, dishes are chosen from over 100 options on the menu
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3 4 5 5 5 VALUE
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SERVICE
FOOD
The Oriental Palace 204-216 Main Road, West Norfolk PE33 0NP Tel: 01553 842255
and brought freshly cooked to your table. We all agreed on a mixed hors d’oeuvers platter to start with, which consisted of sesame prawn toasts, spring rolls, crispy seaweed, satay chicken and spare ribs. There was just the right amount and it was all very tasty. The waiters buzzed around the table and no sooner had the last mouthful of crispy seaweed been consumed than we were asked what we’d like to order next. This was an easy decision, and the menu wasn’t even needed – crispy duck pancakes please! The room was now full and I could see another room that had previously been in darkness was now starting to fill with hungry diners too. A whole duck arrived, looking very appetizing and it was shredded in front of us and served with pancakes, spring onions and hoisin Winch sauce. We were brought more than enough (we only intended this as a starter) so we took our time over the course to enjoy it at
leisure. As the last pancakes were fought over between the husbands, my friend and I made our selections for the main course dishes. This is where the benefits of the buffet style became evident, as we decided on a few favourites such as chilli beef, chow mein, fried rice and beef in black pepper sauce together wirh two dishes none of us had tried before. The ‘tasters’ were kung po chilli prawns and Szechuan chicken – which may be slightly unadventurous, but both were extremely tasty. All the food was served hot and fresh, without a trace of greasiness and it was all delicious. Each piece of meat was tender and juicy and wasn’t swamped with sauce, although there was enough to satisfy the palate. Once the plates were cleaned, our table was hastily cleared and we were shown dessert menus. For two of us, the ample selection consumed so far was too much to consider sweets, although the other pair in our party did choose to continue. The dessert menu only consisted of preprepared ice creams and a coconut option served in 1970s–style hollowed shell was chosen, along with a creamy mango ice – which was all very refreshing, although the desserts weren’t very impressive after having been treated to such enjoyable savoury courses. The total bill – including two glasses of wine, four large soft drinks and a bottle of lager – came to £84 which I consideredto be truly excellent value for money, since it was only our eating capacity that stopped us from taking further advantage of the menu. Although the restaurant does offer takeaway meals, the prices are higher – and they don’t include the atmosphere or the surroundings. Desserts aside, the Oriental Palace offers food that’s excellent both in terms of quality and taste and I’ll really look forward to my next visit – although next time I’ll avoid Friday evening, as we did feel as though we’d been rushed a little. But in my experience, a very busy restaurant is almost inevitably a very good restaurant. KL KLmagazine April 2011
CafeReview
Every week is a great week at the Swan! LUNCH MEAL DEAL (Monday-Friday) Soup, sandwich and a drink! Choice of two soups, four sandwiches and soft drinks (please ask) All for only £5 per person!
C
rofters takes its name from the fact the coffee shop is located in the long undercroft of The Arts Centre in the heart of King’s Lynn. The arched ceiling and low lighting creates a unique ambience and it’s hard not to imagine the room stocked high with wine as it would have been in centuries past. There’s a very good lunchtime selection on the menu, including a variety of fillings for sandwiches, rolls or baguettes as well as other light bites such as ploughmans, soup and jacket potatoes. I chose a simple tuna and cucumber granary sandwich (largely due to the fact I’d already eyed up the cakes in the display counter!) My partner had chosen the quiche of the day, which was goat’s cheese and pepper. To accompany the quiche you could choose a large or small salad, and having asked the waitress what was included with both, the small version sounded sufficient to save our appetites for the enticing sponges. Both plates of food were very nice – simple but tasty and fresh as well as being generously portioned. After taking time to relax whilst enjoying the atmosphere over our long lunch we did indulge in cake. The lemon sponge was okay, but the lemon flavouring and lemon butter icing in the middle gave it quite a false taste and the shortbread was very disappointing. However, we certainly didn’t leave dissatisfied – the savoury dishes had been lovely, the total bill (with an apple juice and pot of tea) was still under £20 and the waitress service is by far the best I’ve come across in a coffee shop. A special place that I’m looking forward to visiting again.
Crofters Coffee Shop 29 King Street, King’s Lynn Norfolk PE30 1HA Tel: 01553 765565 Web: www.kingslynnarts.co.uk KLmagazine April 2011
MONDAY IS QUIZ NIGHT Teams of up to 4 people – cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place. Last-placed booby prize and weekly snowball. Snacks provided. Make sure you arrive early to secure your table (8pm start) Only £1 entry fee per person! TUESDAY IS PIE NIGHT Every Tuesday – choice of two fabulous pies, plus a pint, glass of wine or a soft drink of your choice Only £5.95 per person! TUESDAY NIGHT DARTS The SDL (Swan Darts League) – teams of two persons needed for our popular in-house darts league. Plus! Weekly drop-in mini-games to take part in Food provided THURSDAY IS CURRY NIGHT Every Thursday – choice of two curries, naan and poppadom. Plus a pint, glass of wine or soft drink! Only £5.95 per person! SUNDAY GRAND RAFFLE Six prizes to be won every Sunday – plus the booby prize! 1.30pm draw You have to in it to win it!
Nursery Lane, King’s Lynn PE30 3NG Telephone: 01553 672084 39
FOOD & DRINK
LocalTastes Selected by Charlotte Thorneycroft
RHUBARB AND VANILLA JAM Jubberwacky of North Norfolk A gorgeous homemade preserve, bursting with all the flavours of rhubarb crumble with the aroma of the finest Madagascan vanilla pods. Delicious stirred through thick and creamy yoghurt. APPLE AND COGNAC CONSERVE Ghett Up and Go Preserves, near Dereham Good cognac is added to this English fruit to enhance the apple flavour and give caramel hues to its colour. Highly Commended at the WI Jam Festival 2010, this preserve is good on buttery toast but equally great with roast pork or strong cheeses.
I
f you’ve read the Denver Windmill feature on page 54 and are wanting to bake your own scrummy loaf, you’ll need something equally tasty to accompany it – which is why this month we’re looking at the sweet and fruity jams Norfolk has to offer. And who knows more about this topic than Vicky Turner from In a Pickle in Dereham – the shop specialising in jam, pickle and preserves. All the mouthwatering jams featured here are available from In a Pickle – contact 01362 288151 or visit www.inapickleshop.co.uk for more details.
SUGAR-FREE BRAMBLE JAM Ebenezer Cottage of Bunwell This rich and fruity jam is no less tasty for its lack of sugar. Made with sugar substitute, this jar is packed with delicious hedgerow berries from Norfolk lanes and bottled at home, in recycled jars, using traditional preserving techniques. PERNOD AND BLACKCURRANT CONSERVE Ghett Up and Go Preserves, near Dereham Rich and dark, this preserve is packed with Norfolk blackcurrants, and laced with a generous splash of Pernod. This will wake-up any breakfast but tastes equally as good as a grown-up topping for good vanilla ice-cream!
STRATFORDS LTD Easter Treasure Hunt for the Kids - Sunday 24th April Sunday Lunch & Seafood Bar. 12 - 5pm. Booking a must.
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Royal Wedding Brunch 10am to 1pm 29th April Bucks Fizz; Breakfast fit for a King; Homemade Breads & Pastries; £15 per person. Lazy Sunday Lunches... finest local produce & ingredients. £15.75 - 2 courses. £19.95 - 3 courses. A Real Treat Posh Afternoon Tea. Only £9.50. Cooking Demonstration Monday 16th May. Only £25 inc Coffee & Homemade biscuits, Recipe Sheets & 2 Course Lunch Food Lovers 5 Course Tasting Menu - Friday 20th May. £45 - a great way to taste our seasonal menu - indulge your taste buds. Briarfields, Main Street, Titchwell, Hunstanton, Norfolk PE31 8BB. Tel: +44 (0)1485 210742. Web: www.briarfieldshotelnorfolk.co.uk Email: info@briarfieldshotelnorfolk.co.uk
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Eating Out The Ancient Mariner Inn Galley Restaurant Golf Course Road, Old Hunstanton 01485 536389
Congham Hall Fine dining Lynn Road, Grimston 01485 600250 www.conghamhallhotel.co.uk
The Jolly Sailors Pub favourites Brancaster, Kings Lynn 01485 210314 www.jollysailorsbrancaster.co.uk
Palmers British Brasserie 45 High Street, Downham Market. 01366 388124 www.palmersrestaurant.co.uk
Bank House Brasserie Brasserie food, British Classics Bank House Hotel, King’s Staithe Square, Kings Lynn 01553 660492 www.thebankhouse.co.uk
The Crown and Mitre King’s Lynn’s only traditional riverside pub. Great English food using only fresh locally-sourced ingredients. Ferry Street, King’s Lynn 01553 774669
The Kings Head Hotel Award-winning fine dining Great Bircham, King’s Lynn 01485 578265 www.thekingsheadhotel.co.uk
The Riverside Restaurant English Cuisine 27 King Street, King’s Lynn 01553 773134
Best Western Knight’s Hill Hotel Garden restaurant South Wootton King’s Lynn 01553 675 566 Best Western Le Strange Hotel Golf Course Road, Old Hunstanton 01485 536389 The Blue Boar Inn Good locally sourced food Great Ryburgh, nr Fakenham 01328 829212 www.blueboarinn.ryburgh.co.uk
The Crown Inn Gastro pub The Green, East Rudham 01485 528530 www.thecrowneastrudham.co.uk The Dabbling Duck Seasonal English Cuisine Abbey Road, Great Massingham 01485 520827 www.thedabblingduck.co.uk D’Inacios 9 Newmans Yard, Norwich Road, Fakenham 01328 851247 www.dinacios.co.uk
Leziate Park Local English Cuisine Brow of the Hill, Leziate, King’s Lynn 01553 630393 www.leziatepark.co.uk
The Rose and Crown Traditional pub favourites Old Church Road, Snettisham 01485 541382 www.roseandcrownsnettisham.co.uk
The Lodge Old Hunstanton, Norfolk 01485 532896 www.thelodgehunstanton.co.uk Market Bistro English Cuisine 11 Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn 01553 771483 www.marketbistro.co.uk
The Swan Inn South Wootton, King’s Lynn 01553 672084
Bradley’s Restaurant and wine bar 10 South Quay, Kings Lynn 01553 600836 www.bradleysbytheriver.co.uk
The Gin Trap Inn Gastro Pub 6 High Street, Ringstead, Hunstanton 01485 525264 www.gintrapinn.co.uk
The Neptune Inn and Restaurant Varied Fine Dining 85 Old Hunstanton Road, Old Hunstanton 01485 532122 www.theneptune.co.uk
Brewer’s Fayre Premier Inn West Lynn, King’s Lynn 01553 772221 www.premierinn.com
The Hare Arms Varied fine dining Stow Bardolph, Kings Lynn 01366 382229 www.theharearms.co.uk
The Old Vicarage Seasonal Local Food. The Street, Hemsby 01493 731557 www.theoldvicaragehemsby.co.uk
Titchwell Manor Traditional and modern infusion Titchwell, Kings Lynn 01485 210221 www.titchwellmanor.com
Briarfields Titchwell, Hunstanton 01485 210742 www.briarfieldshotelnorfolk.co.uk
Heacham Manor Hotel Varied fine dining Hunstanton Road, Heacham 01485 536030 www.heacham-manor.co.uk
The Orange Tree New takes on pub classics and seafood High Street, Thornham 01485 512213 www.theorangetreethornham.co.uk
The Yurt Restaurant Drove Orchards, Thornham Road, Thornham, Hunstanton 01485 525108 www.theyurt.co.uk
Buckinghamshire Arms Traditional and modern local food Blickling Hall, Aylsham 01263 723133 www.bucks-arms.co.uk Caley Hall Hotel Gastro pub Old Hunstanton Road, Hunstanton 01485 533486 www.caleyhallhotel.co.uk
KLmagazine April 2011
Timbers Hotel & Restaurant A la carte and traditional pub food Lynn Road, Fincham 01366 347747 www.timbershotel.co.uk
A taste of West Norfolk If we’ve missed your favourite local restaurant from this list, we’d love to hear from you – and so would our readers. Send the details to us at features@klmagazine.co.uk, and remember to pass on any fine dining tips, advice or recommendations as well! 41
LOCAL LIFE
Explorer
The most notable feature in the town is the black and white wrought iron Clock Tower (above) which overlooks the market place. It was presented to the town in 1878 by James Scott who was a grocer and draper in the town. There’s a weather vane on the top of the tower and four dials on each side of the square top, which used to be illuminated by a gas light.
PICTURE: JOHN MAXTED
PICTURE: JOHN MAXTED
It’s full of history and packed with things to see and do, and more people should pay it a visit. Charlotte Thorneycroft journeys to Downham Market...
Two supermarkets service the town – Morrisons and Tesco, although most of the shops in Downham Market are independent retailers which gives a friendly, personal shopping experience. Reeds home store is the largest retailer and sells everything for the home from furniture and curtains to bathroom and kitchenware as well as an extensive gift section. For refreshments, the town is also well stocked with places to eat from cafes and tearooms to traditional pubs and restaurants. Shopping in Downham Market is even more appealing as parking is free in the Morrison’s car park. 42
PICTURE: JOHN MAXTED
There are two markets held in the town each week on Friday and Saturday on the market place outside the town hall, where a variety of goods are offered. Recently the town has also introduced a craft and collectable market which is held fortnightly on Saturdays, on the town square. Stalls showcase a selection of local handmade items such as jewellery and pottery. The next collectables markets take place on 2nd April and 16th April.
Built on the edge of the Fens, the town has an important relationship with the waterways close to it and this is celebrated by the annual Water Festival held in August. Teams of dragon boats representing local businesses race on the water to become champions – it’s a fun packed day for all of the family. Just south of Downham Market is the Denver Sluice Complex (left), an intricate set of gates and mechanisms to control the water levels. During the 17th century, large landowners first set about draining the wet Fenland area to create agricultural land and the first sluice was engineered by Cornelius Vermuyden in 1651. The Denver Sluice Complex site is also the home of The Denver Sailing Club – a family friendly club for pleasure sailors and racing enthusiasts alike. KLmagazine April 2011
Escaping across The Fens after the battle of Naseby in 1645, Charles I (right) hid in a public house in the town – now The Swan Hotel on the High Street (far right) – although this isn’t the original building that stood here. He stayed disguised as a clergyman whilst he awaited news from his servant. He is said to have gone on to hide at Fordham and Crimplesham before his fate was finally sealed by the Scots in Southwell. KLmagazine April 2011
PICTURE: JOHN MAXTED
Downham Market St Winnold’s Fair is a civic event which takes place each year on the last Friday before Good Friday. The procession is headed by a Shire horse and commemorates the first market charter granted to the town in 1046. Horse fairs have played an important role in the town’s history and at one time this fair, originally held on St Winnolds Day (3rd March) was one of the largest horse fairs in the country. Downham Market’s town sign depicts the horses alongside the arrows and crown representing St Edmund.
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KLmagazine April 2011
Explorer
LOCAL LIFE
Church Farm is a family friendly attraction in the nearby village of Stow Bardolph. As a rare breeds farm park it has some of the most endangered species of farm animals such as the Suffolk Punch horse and Boreray sheep, both of which have ‘critical’ classification with the RBST. Breeding programmes operate throughout the season so there are always new arrivals to meet. Lambing season is now well underway and there are lots of opportunities for children to get hands on in the farm’s Animal Encounters sessions. If you can manage to leave the adorable animals there are also indoor and outdoor play areas, a cafe, shop and tractor rides to complete your visit. For more details contact Church Farm on 01366 382162 or visit the website – www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk Welney Wetland Centre is part of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and is situated between Downham Market and Wisbech in the village of Welney. The Reserve covers an area of 420 hectares on the northern-most parts of the Ouse Washes, Britain’s largest area of seasonally-flooded land. Most notable for the spectacular floodlit swan feeds during the winter, the area is a hive of wildlife activity of all kinds. There are a number of interesting walks including (during the summer) a walk along the washes which is only accessible for three months of the year. Welney offers the opportunity to get close to nature and birdlife in an informative and enjoyable way which is now supported by the new ecofriendly visitor centre. On-site facilities also include a heated bird hide, pond world with larger than life exhibits, an organic cafe and well stocked shop. Welney Wetland Centre can be contacted on 01353 860711 or visit www.wwt.org.uk
This year the Downham Market Festival, which is in its 37th year, will take place from 29th May – 6th June and the theme for 2011 is Downham Goes Wild in the West. Throughout the week a number of festival events will take place including bands, balls and children’s shows, and of the course the main feature – The Downham Market Carnival. The carnival follows the theme this year with arena activities including a wild west shoot out and bucking bronco, as well as the usual impressive array of side stalls and parade floats.
Downham Market is one of the oldest market towns in Norfolk dating back to Saxon times – its name means ‘Settlement on a Hill’ KLmagazine April 2011
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ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT
Why D.A. Seaman is clearly different
W
hen it comes to your health only the best service is good enough and a visit to the opticians should be one regular health check high on your list. D.A. Seaman Optometrists in Swaffham offer the personal service you would expect from an independent practice, established for almost 30 years within the town. A consultation at this practice utilises of the very latest technology to establish ocular health, and usually lasts for around 40 minutes. With the high-tech Optomap Retinal Examination and Optical Coherence Tomographer (O.C.T.) D.A. Seaman
Optometrists are able to offer advanced retinal imaging. Underlying health problems such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes are often identified. The O.C.T. is of major significance in the early detection of glaucoma and macular degeneration. The individual service continues after your examination and should you need spectacles, you will be advised. Each patient is catered for depending on lifestyle and not just upon examination results or prescription. This ensures that patients leave with spectacles personally matched to them. A full range of frames are
available as well as a selection of contact lens options, including Ortho K, which for some short sighted patients offer a non surgical alternative to Lasek visual correction. These unique lenses are worn at night to reverse the power of the cornea and once removed in the morning the patient will be able to see clearly all day without the need for spectacles or lenses! Service and patient care have always been paramount to lasting success. The complete choice for all of your optical needs, you will clearly see the difference at D.A. Seaman Optometrists.
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Details
D.A. SEAMAN OPTOMETRISTS 18 Plowright Place, Swaffham Norfolk PE37 7LQ T: 01760 722661 E: info@daseaman.co.uk W: www.daseaman.co.uk
We can help you design your wedding down to the finest detail from choosing your invitations to dressing your bridesmaids. Plus, create your gift list with Debenhams and you will receive… r FREE £50 giftcard* r FREE planning tools and personalised website r 10% discount** on the gifts you didn’t receive r FREE gift insurance† r FREE delivery Call 01553 778503 to book an appointment. *You will receive the giftcard when you complete your gift list, minimum spend of £250 applies. **Discount applies to most departments. Selected concessions are not participating.†This covers the products on your gift list up to the value of £1,500.
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KLmagazine April 2011
The easy way to give your beauty a real boost...
I
f you’re thinking of treating yourself to a little ‘me’ time, cosmetic treatments are an effective way to really make a difference to your look and feel. “Sometimes the smallest details, such as dark circles under the eyes or the odd fine line can make us feel insecure,” says Debbie Carter, co-ordinator at DermaVida. “But the visible improvements cosmetic treatments provide can give such a confidence boost, they can change your whole emotional outlook.” Here we look at four procedures that can make a world of difference to how you look – and feel.
!Derma Roller If you have poor skin from sun damage, acne, enlarged pores or you’d just like younger, rejuvenated skin then the Derma Roller is ideal. This re-surfacing treatment uses fine titanium needles to puncture the skin, allowing our body’s own natural healing processes to repair the damage leaving smoother, youthful looking skin. Unlike laser treatments, which often involve weeks of recovery time, the Derma Roller’s softer, gentler
KLmagazine April 2011
There are several ways to enjoy the benefits of cosmetic treatment without resorting to surgery. KL magazine looks at the local services offered by Derma Vida in King’s Lynn...
approach cuts this time to only 3-7 days. To get the most from the Derma Roller, Derma Vida recommends two to three treatments over a nine-month period for most people. !Sclerotherapy An effective treatment in reducing the appearance of thread veins from the legs – this non-surgical treatment uses a very fine needle to inject a solution of Sclerovein/Polidocanol into the vein, which causes it to shrink. Only a certain amount of the solution can be used per treatment, and therefore a number of treatments (usually three or four) may be required to treat all visible thread veins, which may disappear completely. The treatment itself is virtually pain free with no downtime afterwards – although surgical stockings will need to be worn for a couple of weeks. !Wrinkle Relaxing Injections Better known as botox, this simple procedure is favoured by both men and women of all ages to reduce creases on the skin resulting in a more youthful appearance. It’s also regularly used to treat Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) on problem areas of the body. Lasting for around four months, the effects aren’t permanent.
Cosmetic effects can appear after three days and continue to improve up to two weeks after treatment as it takes this long for the botox to set in place. It works through a series of injections into the affected areas, where the product will then paralyze the muscle that is causing the wrinkle. !Fillers Another way to rid the face of fine lines is by having fillers, which can also be used to treat specific problem areas such as thin lips in need of redefinition. Through the use of the product Juvéderm, the results of treatment are apparent immediately and are expected to last for up to a year. Some people may experience slight bruising or swelling around the injected areas but the downtime is generally minimal. Unlike surgical procedures, the results of cosmetic treatments like these are more subtle and gentle – which you’ve only given nature a helping hand. Invest in yourself – and let DermaVida give your beauty a boost.
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Details
DERMA VIDA Gayton Road Health and Surgical Centre Gayton Road, King’s Lynn PE30 4DY Tel: 01553 696886 E-mail: info@dermavida.co.uk Web: www.dermavida.co.uk
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KLmagazine April 2011
TheConsultingRoom What does the Minor Lesions Clinic offer? Many people have lumps and bumps which aren’t life threatening and don’t affect how a patient functions. However, these still can cause a great deal of concern for patients in their appearance and can reduce their quality of life. The Minor Lesions Clinic can treat the vast majority of these lumps and bumps under local anaesthetic in the treatment room at BMI The Sandringham Hospital. A patient’s appearance and quality of life can be greatly improved by this relatively simple straightforward type of surgery.
Richard Haywood A consultant plastic surgeon, Richard specialises in breast reconstruction surgery, micro- and cosmetic surgery including breast enlargement, nose reshaping, facelifts, skin resurfacing and tummy tucks. In addition to offering a wide range of cosmetic surgery at BMI The Sandringham Hospital in King’s Lynn, Richard also runs a Minor Lesions Clinic.
What types of lumps and bumps can be treated at the Clinic? We can normally remove all general lumps and bumps which are under 2cm in diameter. These lumps and bumps can be cysts within the skin, small fatty lumps under the skin or commonly benign pigmented moles or skin tags. Is the procedure painful? The injection of the local anaesthetic does sting slightly – it’s similar to a wasp sting – but this eases off quickly within a few seconds.
Will it leave any scars? It can take three to six months for some of the redness to start settling and for the scar to mature fully it can take up to a year. How much will it cost? The cost depends on the number of lesions (lumps or bumps) to be removed. The hospital will quote you a noobligation one-off fixed price fee. The price includes your treatment, up to two follow-up appointments and any histology if the tissue needs to be looked at under the microscope. How do I arrange an appointment? You can call the hospital direct for further information and a price. If you are happy with the fee quoted, the hospital will arrange an appointment for you. For more information and details, you can call the BMI The Sandringham Hospital on 01553 769770, or visit us at www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/sandringham.
The Sandringham Hospital
How long does the procedure take? We can treat most patients on the spot. The procedure itself takes different lengths of time depending how large or small the lump or bump is. The vast majority of procedures take between 15-30 minutes. Most patients would be going home within an hour of the surgery. There may be some stitches which will need to be removed five to seven days after the surgery. Most wounds will be healed by a week.
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KLmagazine April 2011
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LOCAL HISTORY
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his year – in addition to the usual heritage town walks – the King’s Lynn Town Guides have ventured into new territory to bring some new and exciting walks to the programme. Town Guide Liz James wants us to all look at some of the outer areas of King’s Lynn as the more popular sites. She’s particularly interested in the suburbs around Goodwin’s Road, which are often overlooked because of their location. The streets in this area play a significant role in the town’s history and cover an important period of Lynn’s rapid expansion. “Hundreds of people drive and walk down these streets every day without knowing anything about them,” says Liz. “There are some fine examples of period properties with fascinating backgrounds that may surprise even the residents of these streets.”
ABOVE: The Old Rectory on Goodwin’s Road – an imposing legacy from Lynn’s first suburb
! GOODWIN’S ROAD Charles Goodwin was the son of local attorney Harvey Goodwin, and after the death of his father, Charles took over the family practice which he ran alongside his other business as a property developer. Having already developed Guanock Field and Clough Garden, Charles purchased 20 acres of pasture land (which then became Goodwin’s Fields) on which he intended to create Lynn’s first suburb. The first buildings went up in 1842 (the year we all started paying income tax regardless of whether there was a war on!) and one of them – The Old Rectory – still exists as a stylish Bed & Breakfast. It was Goodwin’s intention the area be an upmarket development, a vision which is evident from the
The little-known streets packed with history...
This year’s Festival Walks explore some of the lesser-known parts of King’s Lynn and its history. Town Guide Liz James encourages Charlotte Thorneycroft to take a wander around Goodwin’s Road... 50
KLmagazine April 2011
number of large, imposing villas situated on this road. Unfortunately, there was a distinct lack of interest in the new development and a number of the properties stood unoccupied. Instead, plots of pleasure gardens were planted for intown property owners who could come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. The new suburb didn’t actually take off until after Charles’ death, although by the turn of the century it had successfully become the development he originally intended. There are still many properties of great architectural importance from the Victorian era on the road today. Built in 1887 (the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee), the Sugar’s Almshouses in Goodwin’s Road were paid for and endowed by John Sugar, a wealthy builder and shipowner in the town. ! EXTON’S ROAD is best known for the St James Hospital building, an impressive Victorian property which started life as the St James Workhouse. When the old workhouse collapsed, the new site on Exton’s Road was chosen after the land was purchased
from a Joseph Cooper, although the site was technically within Goodwin’s Fields. Another developer at work at the time in Exton’s Road was William Salmon Rolin, who’d quickly accrued a considerable reputation as a local builder after his work on the Framingham Almshouses. In 1848, he purchased a site of three and half acres to develop (Exton’s Road was previously known as Brick Kiln Road as it housed two brickyards), and within a few years was also developing the nearby streets. The swift success story came to a sorry end in 1854 when Rolin was declared bankrupt – by that time he was thought to be abroad and was labelled an outlaw. As for the current name of the road, it’s something of a mystery. The town did have an apothecary named Exton who lived in the High Street and is buried in St Margaret’s, but he died long before the change took place – if Brick Kiln Road was renamed after him, the reasons are unclear.
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More details... If you’d like to explore lesser-known parts of King’s Lynn and its history, the Festival Walks for 2011 include: The Betjemen Walk (Wednesday 20th July) This follows the route Sir John Betjeman took on his visit in 1972 Tuesday Market Place/St Nicholas’s Chapel (Thursday 21st July) The Holy Trinity/St George’s Guildhall (Wednesday 27th July) The regular town walks start on May 3rd and tickets are available from the Tourist Information Office at the Customs House
KLmagazine April 2011
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Books
Six of the best for Spring... From our planet to our homes, the word is full of hidden depths – and this fantastic half dozen will really have you thinking and talking!
David Learner If Walls Could Talk Lucy Worsley She wrote the history of Hampton Court Palace did our Lucy, and the book obtained a regal affirmation from the House of Windsor. But this is something far more intimate, whiffy and guttural than a poke around the chesterfields with a Hoover. Every corner of our homes lies exposed in Worsley’s centuries-old investigation into why we do what we do in that room at that time, possibly while nobody’s looking. Ever had a fear of fruit or slept standing up? Lots did.
The Churchills Mary S Lovell With revelatory biographies of The Mitford Girls and Bess of Hardwick already published and praised Lovell’s new life of one of England’s most illustrious and often impecunious families is set to blow the historical dust off the entire dynasty. From the First Duke of Marlborough (royal cuckolder) to Winnie himself (Greatest Briton ever: discuss) this outstanding addition to the shelves will shock and engross simultaneously.
London Under Peter Ackroyd Dickens uncovers it, Boadicea’s statue in Westminster contains a secret door to it, and two million travellers smack an Oyster card into its barriers every day. Beneath the streets of London are neglected monasteries, Anglo Saxon graves, the fresh water springs of the Roman capital and death aplenty. One of our best biographers teases the truth out of a city whose surface we’ve barely dented.
The Betrayal of Trust Susan Hill DCI Simon Serrailler of Lafferton CID begins his sixth escapade in Susan Hill’s crime series. Hill’s fans include PD James and Ruth Rendell so she must be doing something right, but it’s her legendary scope as a writer, stepping effortlessly from the trenches of World War One (Strange Meeting) to the ghostliness of Crythin Gifford (The Woman in Black) that sets her apart. Every home should have a Hill, preferably on the first floor (Howards End is on the Landing). The Reason Why John Gribbin It’s ever trendy to smirk and declare there are planets very similar to earth dotted like vermicelli across the infinite reach of space. Gribbin says no. This world, he confounds, is unique in the way its evolution has produced Coronation Street and Lady Gaga and we’d jolly well better get through this global warming thing because there may after all be no aliens queuing up to blow us all to destruction and take over the remote control. Blimey.
KLmagazine April 2011
The Gurkhas Chris Bellamy Gurkha: a byword for indomitable spirit and defiance unto death. The award-winning Chris Bellamy starts in Nepal and sets out to chart almost two hundred years of resilience and fortitude that have seen the Gurkhas absorbed into the heart and consciousness of not just the British Army but also India’s modern-day force. Compelling writing tells an absorbing history and looks to the future for some of the world’s most renowned soldiers.
April
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Events
At 4pm our informal book group meets over a cup of Waterstone’s best Ceylon to chew over Josephine Tey’s Plantagenet yarn, The Daughter of Time. Who really killed the Princes in the tower? That spiteful and much defamed Richard III? Maybe. Maybe not. You’re most welcome – just bring your mouth (one) and ears (two).
David Learner is Assistant Manager for Waterstone’s at 137 Norfolk Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1AU Telephone: 01553 660111 53
PICTURE: JOHN MAXTED
LOCAL LIFE
ABOVE: Denver Windmill is one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions – but it’s what goes on inside the mill that really keeps people returning!
Celebrating a slice of the region’s heritage...
We all tend to take bread for granted, but it’s always been part of our history and breadmaking is a tradition still alive and well in West Norfolk. Charlotte Thorneycroft visits the fascinating Denver Windmill...
B
read has been a staple in the food chain for millennia and in Britain we just can’t get enough of it, munching our way through an average 86 loaves per family each year. Most of us eat bread on a daily basis whether it’s toast for breakfast or sandwiches for lunch, and we’re all possibly guilty of taking the humble loaf for granted. Do you ever think what makes ‘real’ bread and how it made its journey from field to plate? Lindsay Abel, Managing Director of Denver Windmill near Downham Market thinks we should all know a little more
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about where the food we enjoy comes from. When Lindsay and her husband took over the running of the Windmill and its site three years ago, she wanted to transform the business to educate as well as produce ‘real’ bread that tasted fantastic. “It’s wonderful to still have a fullyfunctioning windmill,” says Lindsay, “but essentially it’s just a machine that works as part of the breadmaking process. There’s so much else involved and it’s important this knowledge is shared to appreciate the end result. Bread has always played a large part in the British diet – and it always will – so I believe there’s a real need for places like
Denver Windmill. Without the visitors who share our passion, the windmill would have met its end a long time ago, standing empty and unloved like so many others around the country.” Despite the family taking over the mill during the busiest period of the year (summer), Lindsay soon realised the site needed a complete overhaul to create a more useable attraction, including expanding and re-organising the tea rooms and gift shop. She wanted people to be able to take something from the mill, learning about the reasons for its existence and not just visiting to admire the building.
KLmagazine April 2011
Have a go at baking your own delicious ‘real’ bread loaf – follow this simple recipe, courtesy of Denver Windmill: INGREDIENTS 500g strong white flour 10g salt 28g fat 20g fresh yeast 280ml warm water A few drops of lemon juice
ABOVE: Denver Windmill’s Head Baker Martin Ager knows bread inside out – literally!
METHOD 1 Place the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the fat and yeast and rub in until a homogenous mix is obtained. Add the warm water and lemon juice and mix to produce a soft sticky mass. 2 Tip the contents of the bowl onto a floured surface and combine together, gently kneading the dough. Add extra flour sparingly if necessary and continue to knead until a smooth elastic consistency is obtained (this will take 5–8 minutes) 3 Invert the mixing bowl over the dough ball and leave in a warm place to prove for 45 minutes to an hour. 4 Next, knockback the dough and shape it into the desired form. Place onto a baking tray, covered with a piece of baking parchment and prove for a further 30 minutes until the dough has doubled in size. 5 Make some small cuts in the dough prior to baking to assist oven expansion and place in a pre-heated oven at 220c for 25 minutes. Turn and bake for a further 10 minutes until golden and the bread has a hollow sound when tapped on the base. Remove, cool and enjoy!
PICTURE: JOHN MAXTED
The current classroom was renovated to provide a welcoming teaching environment for children and adults to learn the skills of breadmaking – Lindsay regularly has classes of enthusiastic school children mixing and kneading whilst taking in the fundamentals of bread production. Not having previously been bakers, Lindsay and her husband have learned the skilful process from the one of their staff, head baker Martin Ager. Martin is a food chemist and worked for companies such as Mars and Hovis before Denver Windmill eagerly recruited him during his retirement. “Breadmaking is all about chemical reactions,” continues Lindsay. “You have to know the science to understand why the process works. Once you’ve mastered this, the rest is easy – you’ll always have perfect loaves. Martin knows the science of food inside out so we’re very lucky to have him guiding us.” A traditional English mill making traditional English bread is (rather astonishingly) something quite rare in modern England, but it’s a practice Lindsay and her team are proud to continue. Another priority is keeping things local, which is why the wheat used comes from a local organic farmer. Although a good windy weekend of milling can see over a tonne of flour produced, the weather is never guaranteed, so alternatives are in place. During the 1850s steam power took over as a more reliable power source, which in turn was then set aside in favour of the diesel engine during the 1930s and this is still used today. There’s also a Barron Dreadnought electric vertical stone mill, combining three generations of milling at Denver. The actual bread is made in the small bakery at the mill using the family’s own traditional recipes, which result in delicious tasting well-risen bread – either dressed (white), wholemeal and old malty. If this has captured your culinary imagination then take this chance to sign up to The Real Bread Campaign’s new initiative offered by Denver Windmill – apprenticeships for keen home breadmakers interested in taking the first steps to becoming a professional. The apprenticeships are run on an individual basis and take around 4-5 days, working alongside the mill’s bakery team to develop an understanding of the logistics involved with a commercial process rather than home baking. There’s no age limit and the course is completely free, although this isn’t a course for those interested in home baking (these are already available at Denver Windmill). ! To find out more about Denver Windmill and the courses on offer, contact 01366 384009 or visit the mill’s website at www.denvermill.co.uk
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ARTS
Uncovering the darker side of King’s Lynn... Local author Jim Kelly is building a formidable reputation in the world of crime fiction with his King’s Lynn-based books. Eric Secker talks to him about his work... KL MAGAZINE: Your father was a policeman and so was your grandfather. Why didn't you follow in their footsteps? JIM KELLY: It was the only job I wasn’t allowed to even contemplate! I think my father thought it was a tough life, and one that sort of brutalized you. It wasn’t actually very well rewarded back then, although there was plenty of job security and prestige. He always told us – I’m one of three brothers – we should be paid for what we knew, not what we did. That’s very wise advice, although it wasn’t very wise of him to tell me not to do something – because in the end I’ve ended up in the same field of work! It just shows that you shouldn’t tell children what they can’t do. KL MAGAZINE: Your self-confessed obsession with books started early at Barnet Library – what books inspired you to become a writer at such a young age? JIM KELLY: I started with Pan horror anthologies. I know it sounds like pulp fiction, but behind the lurid covers were some of the best writers of the century – including HG Wells, Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie and Henry James. I’ve still got volumes 1 and 2 of the 30 they did. These ‘horror’ stories feature a crossover with crime – in writers such as Christie and Poe. Horror and crime are similar in that the writer has to have a technical mastery of the form – you have to deliver the shocks, the surprises, the tension, and to do that you need to plot well and have a plan. It was a good place for me to start. KL MAGAZINE: What prompted you to leave a very successful career in journalism and take up writing on a full time basis? JIM KELLY: It’s a cliché that many journalists are failed writers but in my case it was more than a little true. I always enjoyed writing a story more than getting a story. But I did love being a journalist. I ended up as education correspondent on the Financial Times, and 56
it was a great subject – you got such amazing access to ministers and policymakers. It was very exciting. When I wrote The Water Clock on my daily commute from Ely to London, I thought I could go on doing two things at once, but why waste the chance? If I’d tried to stay on and messed up the books, I’d never have forgiven myself. My wife writes too, and we both stiffen each other’s resolve in such situations. So we took the chance. I’ve never regretted it for a moment. KL MAGAZINE: Although Philip Dryden is a journalist, why did you decide to put him in a crime-solving environment? JIM KELLY: I wanted to write a crime novel and I’d tried out several sleuths – a forensic archaeologist, a forensic accountant, a forensic artist. The problem with all these things is that while I can rely on research to find out what they do it‘s not the same as actually having real experience. So I did the obvious – I wrote about what I knew. I’d been a local newspaper reporter and news editor for 15 years. I know what reporters do. I know what they think, and I know what they do when they’re not doing what they should be. Some writers do create sleuths from outside their own worlds very successfully – for example, Elly Griffith’s King’s Lynn-based forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway. You can’t see the join between what she knows and what she’s learned. An excellent creation. KL MAGAZINE: How much of Jim Kelly is there in Philip Dryden? JIM KELLY: Characters are like plots – you take a little bit of real life, and grow a bigger plot out of it, like a crystal in a laboratory. Dryden’s the same – he has some of my traits. He’s quiet dry, and emotionally a bit distant. He loves landscape, and appreciates friends who are good at just being there. But the other way to build a character is to take an emotion or characteristic you
understand well and then imagine the opposite of it – so he’s very good looking, but not very interested in sport or competition at all, and he’s oddly passive. He also likes sticky, sweet cocktails – and I like beer! KL MAGAZINE: How much of your experience and family background went into the creation of Peter Shaw? JIM KELLY: The key to Shaw is the relationship with his father and I think that’s true of my own life – certainly my first twenty years. The difference is that Peter Shaw defied his father and joined the police force. Dad never talked about work – except for a couple of very threadbare anecdotes he told many times. After he died I went through some papers and found a mugshot of James Hanratty – so I presume he was on the case, but he’d never mentioned it. He did say he’d had to witness a couple of hangings as prosecuting officer. He was against the death penalty. But what I really got from Dad was a sense of what policemen are like – how they think. Oddly, it’s not dissimilar to how journalists think. They both presume they have a right to know the truth. They have a right to ask questions. An excuse to be curious about the world. And a kind of authority. I remember seeing Dad a couple of times get out of the car in jams and direct traffic in plain clothes and no one ever asked him what he was doing. He just looked like he was in charge. So he was. KL MAGAZINE: Many of your books deal with uncovering secrets and unravelling events from the past - does that reflect love of history or a love of solving mysteries? JIM KELLY: A love of history. It’s something I share with my wife Midge, who’s an historian and writes biographies and histories, mainly about the 1940s. A perfect day for us is discovering some history. KLmagazine April 2011
KL MAGAZINE: Why do you think crime writing has such a mass appeal? JIM KELLY: I think crime writers deliver what a lot of novelists have forgotten to deliver – plot, pace, and entertainment, just like Dickens’ serialized stories. The ‘literary’ novel has been on a strange meandering journey which seems to involve forgetting some of the basic tenets of story telling. Crime novels still excel at entertaining the reader in the broadest sense of the word. We have to learn how to deliver the thrills – intrigue, shock and surprise. I always recall my agent saying that when I wrote a page of a book I had to ask myself what would make someone read it. What did it deliver? If it doesn’t entertain in some way, then it should be thrown away. KL MAGAZINE: Your latest book starts with the discovery of a murder victim during the exhumation of King's Lynn cemetery. When you start a book, do you begin with the crime or the solution? JIM KELLY: Neither! I start with what I call the ‘fulcrum’ – an idea really, a hidden concept which underlies the plot. I hope that all of my books have this ‘eureka!’ moment, when the reader sees what’s been hidden and it makes sense of everything. The more vivid and simpler this revelation, the better the book. The best example of this is Dorothy L Sayers wonderful Fen masterpiece The Nine Tailors. I’m not going to give away the ‘eureka!’ moment – you’ll have to read it yourself. The point is that often the ‘who’ isn’t as interesting as the ‘how’, ‘why’ and ‘where’ – the old Columbo TV series is an excellent example.
KLmagazine April 2011
PICTURE: NEIL COOPER
KL MAGAZINE: Talking of history, crime fiction is almost as old as fiction itself - do you think it’s changed in the last 150 years or so? JIM KELLY: I think crime is a central driving plot force in English literature – look at Dickens’ Bleak House or David Copperfield, or much of the Bronte’s work. The so-called Golden Age of British crime fiction was a bit of an aberration, the puzzle-like playfulness, the strict genre rules. In many ways it was a glorious cul-desac. I think we’re moving back to crime as a central form of literature. Something like the TV series The Wire is nothing less than a Dickens-scaled portrait of a whole city. The big step forwards in the last few decades has been the recognition that crime writers can have villains as heroes and policemen as the real culprits. The moral compass doesn’t have to match the legal one.
KL MAGAZINE: What’s the local reaction to your setting horrible crimes where people actually live? JIM KELLY: People love it ! While they are horrible crimes, I don’t think my books have a voyeuristic or sadistic edge. I was recently writing about the impact of crime novels on the places where they’re set, and a good contrast is provided by Oxford (the setting for Dexter’s Morse) and Leeds (the setting for Peace’s Red Riding). Oxford has built part of its tourist industry around the Morse novels, and when I rang Oxford City Council to talk about the books they fell over themselves to cooperate. Red Riding is a very different kind of series. The books are frightening, disturbing, dystopian, and paint a picture of Yorkshire life which centres on corruption and post-industrial wastelands – and Leeds City Council didn’t wish to discuss them. I think my novels are closer to the world of Morse, although I’m now edging Peacewards, especially in the Lynn-based books. I think the darkness I bring to North Norfolk is very Gothic, and despite the subject matter, it’s still playful.
KL MAGAZINE: If you could have Peter Shaw investigate any unsolved crime, what would it be? JIM KELLY: I would have him investigate the theft of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle in 1097. It’s probably the greatest unsolved crime of the century – it has everything: a locked room mystery, a sex scandal, the Royal Family, jewels, violence, politics, and Scotland Yard. And all those Dublin bars for George Valentine to drink in! And I think I know who did it, though I’m not telling. But the real mystery is where the jewels are now. I think Shaw could find them.
Jim Kelly’s latest book Death Watch (Penguin, £7.99) is available now from all good bookshops.
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Review
Local artist Barbara King talks about her work and latest exhibition
I
’m fortunate enough to live in a rural part of West Norfolk and in my work I find constant inspiration in the everchanging shapes and colours spread across the land. As I stroll along the footpaths and bridleways I watch the jigsaw of fields slowly changing. The interlocked patterns of the farmers’ fields, already slewed by our height within the landscape, eases into new patterns much like the slow revolution of a kaleidoscope. Fields flatten and rise, foreshortened by dips in the terrain or lengthened by hills. Angles become obtuse then acute as the view point changes. Pylons and telegraph poles (which so well tell of distance) come together, line up and pass each other by. In short, although it’s me that is moving, it’s the landscape that changes and takes on new forms. As with a kaleidoscope, it’s not just the shapes that change. Throughout the day as clouds shift; throughout the weeks as weather patterns change; throughout the year as crops grow and are replaced, and completely new tapestries of colours are created. It’s this dynamic place in constant change which I’ve sought to capture in my paintings. In a number of them I’ve worked on an upright ’portrait’ canvas and painted
KLmagazine April 2011
a slice of the countryside in order to reveal the layers of shapes and colours within it. For example in Mayflower on Hawthorn (above) – where the hillside enables a view of no less than six fields which zig zag up the picture surface, ending in the tree-lined horizon. The colours are afforded by the fading blooms in the rape field at the fore, green crops at various points of maturity and a fallow field full of daisies at the top. The timing of this painting is very specific – it’s a glimpse of a transitory scene. The mayflowers on the hedgerows are shortlived; this is a week or two at the end of May and it’ll be another 50 weeks before they return. The crops which make up the colours of the geometry may not be sown in the same position for years to come. The transient nature of the countryside reinforces the need to look frequently at the landscape, to catch and appreciate each scene before it changes. Cowslips at Courtyard Farm (above right) is earlier in the year – towards the end of April. A path weaves across a meadow of grass and vetch through which the tall stems of the cowslips proudly push their multi-flowered yellow heads. A month or two later it’ll be transformed and a carpet of wild summer flowers will form a mosaic of blue, white, red, and every colour
in between. Towards mid summer the poppies and lavender explode with colour. The Poppy Field, Heacham (below) celebrates a miracle of nature. How a few black seeds and a loamy soil can produce such a riot of pulsating pillar-box red can be nothing less than a miracle! The oak trees splash cooling purple shadows across the tarmac and towards the smouldering poppies whilst in the distance the Wash twinkles in the summer sun. I’m currently working on some new watercolours of the local rural landscape which will also be included in the exhibition. Views from Peddars Way and country lanes; sheep grazing in a fallow field; the regimented lines of a carrot crop – all painted with an intensity of colour to adequately describe their beauty. BARBARA KING
N EXHIBITIO LOOKING INLAND An exhibition of paintings by Barbara King ‘The Stables’ at The Gin Trap, Ringstead, Norfolk 23rd April – 1st May (10am–4pm) 59
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SPORT
Raising the future of sport... The sporting future of West Norfolk’s youngsters is in very good hands. Charlotte Thorneycroft talks to Jo Dickson of the Schools Sports Partnerships...
I
f sport wasn’t your strongest subject at school and the thought of running around a muddy field on a cold wet morning filled you with dread, then you’ll be pleased to hear the School Sports Partnership has turned this view on its head. The limited sports options within schools – which often meant the sporty children excelled and the not so sporty were left out altogether – are now a thing of the past. Formed in 2002, the Schools Sports Partnership has gone from strength
KLmagazine April 2011
to strength supporting schools with a huge variety of sports activities ensuring there’s something to suit every individual. Based on the King Edward VII specialist sports college site, the Partnership covers the whole of West Norfolk and includes 84 primary schools and nine secondary schools, making it the largest partnership in the county. As well as Development Manager Jo Dickson and Assistant Manager Tracy Bower, the West Norfolk School Sports Partnership employs six SSCO’s (school
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SPORT
ABOVE: The School Sports Partnership has a number of initiatives to help children make the most of their natural talents
sports co-ordinators), an administration assistant and works with a team of specialist coaches. The aim of the Partnership is to increase participation in extra-curricular activities and competitive sports as well as widen the choice available. With expert coaching, support and competition opportunities, the Partnership has been able to identify talented students and develop an interest for children at risk of falling away from the physical education aspects of learning. “As well as the more traditional school sports such as rugby, football and hockey,” explains Jo Dickson, “we organise sessions and competitions in other activities that schools wouldn’t be able to, such as horse riding, kite surfing and speed stacking. We encourage students to be active by giving them the chance to try new things and take up the ones that they enjoy the most. “We also tailor sports for our primary students to create an interest with them early on, such as tri golf which uses plastic clubs and soft balls which are aimed at 62
sticky targets. “We hope this enthusiasm for sport will then stay with them through their senior school education which if they choose to, they can take to the next level on our leadership programme, gaining a qualification and eventually teaching sport to other youngsters.” Through the Partnership’s work, a pathway is also developed for those who have the talent and drive for elite performance, referring gifted youngsters to relevant clubs who can take them further. The competition structure begins at form against form level, then moves on to cluster competitions of schools, the winners then going on to the Partnership Final. Winners of the Partnership Final next compete for West Norfolk at county level, on either a team or individual basis. Around 20 sports are included in this competition structure and the West Norfolk SSP has a number of students now competing for the county at national level. National success was gained by one
student from West Norfolk after taking part in the Adapted Sports Day. This countrywide event takes place for one day each year with schools sending children with physical disabilities to try out new sports. Daniel Bullen from Smithdon High School in Hunstanton now plays wheelchair table tennis nationally after his talent was first spotted at the Adapted Sports Day. The ‘Playground to Podium’ programme is specifically in place to identify talented students like Daniel and assist them with further coaching and development for example through the Kandoo club, which is based at Lynnsport. Other projects delivered by the team have included ‘Sport Unlimited’, aimed at the less sporty to allow students to try out new activities in eight-week blocks including archery and climbing. ‘Active Lifestyles’ encourages younger children to make small changes like walking to school. Both of these are intended to compliment the government’s KLmagazine April 2011
advice on reducing childhood obesity which Tracy Bower, Assistant Development Manager, believes the Partnership can help decrease in this area. “Promoting an active lifestyle is key to ensuring children grow up to be healthy adults, and making sure their first sporting experiences are enjoyable ones is an important part of this,” she says. “So many parents have said to us they wish the sporting opportunities offered by the Partnership would have been available when they were at school! Since the emergence of the Partnership the participation of students in sporting activities within schools (two hours per week) has increased from 25% to 95% – so the evidence of SSP’s success really speaks for itself.” Sport is just one side of this important scheme and the SSP has provided playground markings for a number of schools, which has allowed them to organise structured lunchtime activities with playground leaders, which has shown positive effects in the classroom. They’ve also worked with families to assist with obesity problems. The work of the SSP is important to the students, school and the local community but unfortunately the government has recently announced that the funding for such projects will no longer be available. After eight hugely successful years the team are very disappointed, but are committed to continue this valuable work which has made such an impact on sport in school and the students it supports. They are keen to hear from any local business or organisations that are interested in partnering this project to help it sustain what has already been achieved. Options such as sponsorship for competitions and events are one way of doing this or why not provide funding for a community coach. Jo and his team urge you to appreciate that one day, through the guidance of their programmes, these talented youngsters may be the sporting stars of the future. KL
KLmagazine April 2011
ABOVE: The dedicated team of school sports coordinators working for the West Norfolk partnership
ABOVE: Today the school playing field, tomorrow Twickenham?
? More details
For further insight into the work of the Partnership go to their website at www.westnorfolkssp.co.uk For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities contact the West Norfolk School Sports Partnership on 01553 780883, Jo Dickson on 07917 102171 (or e-mail Jdickson5nre@nsix.org.uk) or call Tracy Bower on 07946 127811 (or e-mail tbower8nr7@nsix.org.uk)
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Sud ku
HOW TO PLAY In the unlikely event you’ve never attempted a Sudoku puzzle before, here’s your chance! It’s very simple – all you have to is complete the square so that all horizontal and vertical lines and all nine smaller squares contain the numbers 1-9. There are no tricks or cryptic clues – all you need is to use your logic! Here are four puzzles for you to enjoy – and give yourself a big pat on the back if you can do all of them!
EASY
MEDIUM
CHALLENGING
VERY TOUGH
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KLmagazine April 2011
The Big Debate It’s an issue that affects everyone in West Norfolk, and it’s a talking point that’s not going away anytime soon. Kate Cleaver looks at the the plans for an incinerator in King’s Lynn...
S
o, just as I was writing a feature describing how a huge body of opinion had ‘extinguished’ plans for an incinerator in King’s Lynn like a ‘tidal wave of cold water’ – there was a shock result from Norwich as Norfolk County Council voted it in. As we all now know, the County Council decided against for the creation of a Power and Recycling Centre at the Willows Business Park, Saddlebow, despite the results of a poll where more than 65,000 people opposed its development. North-West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham was shocked. He described it as a dark day for democracy. “I’m flabbergasted, I’m staggered and amazed,” he said. I think most people agree with him. During the debate, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet spent two hours discussing the tender, while protestors outside brandished anti incinerator placards. They were not fobbed off with promises of a Visitor and Education Centre instead voicing real concerns about pollution. Chris Edwards, Senior Fellow at UEA, states that using an incinerator will cause pollution to fall over many miles. “If the King’s Lynn incinerator goes ahead, developer Cory Wheelabrator stands to make a very high rate of profit from the project,” he says. “By contrast the residents of West Norfolk get a few jobs and significant pollution.” The problem is dioxins. These occur whenever something is burned, such as cigarettes, barbeques or garden bonfires. The burning of residual waste in Energy from Waste (EfWO PLANT) will contribute to existing background levels of dioxins in our environment, however stringent are the regulations to deal with it. The County Council counter pollution claims with assurances from Health Protection Agency Defra, and the Environment Agency, that well-run modern energy from waste plants are safe. But in Parliament on November 30th, 2009, the Health Protection Agency admitted not KLmagazine April 2011
having conducted health studies around incinerators. Underlining local concern, the Clenchwarton family of two year old Dylan who has respiratory problems, have been told they must move if the incinerator is built – or risk his life. So why have they said yes? Norfolk County Council has wanted an incinerator for some time, ever since they identified the need for a facility to treat around 170,000 tonnes of Norfolk residents’ household waste – which is left after recycling each year – and because everyone recognises that continued use of landfill is not an option. The proposed development would deal with this leftover waste and at the same time generate considerable energy. According to Cory Wheelabrator, the modern EfW facility is more like a power station because it uses the combustion process to generate electricity and heat, and extensively cleans up the combustion gases before emission. Cory Wheelabrator claimed the poll had been tainted by referring to their installation as ‘mass burn.’ Almost the entire council cabinet accepted their view and agreed to approve the contract which moves us neatly to the next stage. The step in question is that of seeking planning permission. This will be decided by the end of the year. If approved, construction is planned to start in 2012. If it goes ahead the facility will be operating in 2015. South-West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss is another politician opposed to the plan. She has voiced the heartfelt feelings of many West Norfolk people in asking waste authorities in the county to work together to deliver budget savings by driving up recycling performance – as an alternative to this proposal. “There is still the planning stage to go through and I expect to see a robust scrutiny of this application,” she said. So say all of us. KATE CLEAVER 65
LOCAL LIFE
Michael Middleton’s
WildWestNorfolk
A
s it’s that time of the year again, I’ve been spending a fair amount of time in the garden recently, tackling the formidable list of tasks that Mrs. Middelton has spent most of the winter compiling. One day, after she departed to fetch some supplies, I managed to repair three fence panels, re-turf the back garden, apply a couple of coats of woodstain to the shed and clean out the fish pond. On her return (which is when I discovered that ‘spring collections’ had nothing to do with bedding plants), Mrs. Middleton took a long, hard look at my efforts. “Is that all you’ve done?” she said. It was her subsequent suggestion of putting solar panels on my head that had me pondering the thorny issue of energy generation. It might seem a bit of a strange subject to be considering when you’re doing the weeding, but over the next few days it seemed everything I read or saw was related to the question of where we’ll be getting our energy from in the future if we want the world to last a bit longer. As more and more people want more and more of the stuff, it seems that energy resources are dwindling at an alarming rate, which is giving rise to a whole new breed of brilliant innovators (I know what Mrs. Middleton would call them) with some truly great ideas. For instance, you may not have heard of Mac Funamizu, but he’s developed a remarkable device that fits in the grip of a golf club and stores the kinetic energy generated during the act of swingng the club – which is good enough to charge a mobile phone or a laptop at some later point. Sadly, I don’t think Mr. Funamizu has seen me play golf. I think I’d be lucky to have
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enough stored energy to charge a toothbrush. A small one. An idea likely to find a keen supporter in Mrs. Middleton is the POWA Water Generator, developed by a company called Vandenbussche. It’s not big (it fits on your hosepipe) but it is irritatingly clever – it generates electricity as you wash the car or water the garden. Thanks for that. Much more to my liking is the idea of making a load of big snakes and putting them out to sea. The Checkmate Group is currently working on a project (inevitably called Anaconda) that involves putting a number 200-yard long rubber tubes filled with water in the sea – the ‘swimming’ action of the harnessed snakes helps creates a ‘bulge wave’ which then passes through the tube and drives a turbine in the tail, generating electricity. They say that a group of 50 anacondas could generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes. And enough headlines to induce mass panic buying of snake venom, I fancy. Meanwhile, over in Pakistan, Dr. Syed Tajamul Hussain has invented something that produces low-carbon emission bio-diesel and ethanol from – wait for it – old tea leaves! Apparently, it’s possible to produce some 560ml of biodiesel from each kilogram of used tea leaves. Now, I’m not a fortune teller, but I think I’d have to drink an awful lot of tea to fill the old car up – and the thought of getting yet another bin in the yard for the sole purpose of storing
old tea bags doesn’t exactly fill me with eco-excitement. Much more to my tastes is the idea of getting a free meal. It seems that if you stay in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Copenhagen (next time you’re passing Denmark), you can use an exercise bike that’s attached to the hotel’s generator. After just 15 minutes’ worth of pedalling you’ll have generated about 10 watts of electricity – for which the hotel will give you a meal voucher to the value of 26 Euros, which should keep you in frikadeller for a couple of days. From dancing (there’s a nightclub in London with energy-producing springs under the floor) to walking to work (there are some special tiles outside the entrance to a Tokyo underground station), it seems there’s no end to the ways we can harness the energy we naturally generate as we go about our daily business. In fact, as Mrs. Middleton will be quick to tell you, even our household has a vast amount of untapped energy that’s produced in copious amounts on a daily basis. It’s called hot air.
KLmagazine April 2011
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