KL Magazine March 2017

ISSN 2044–7965

ISSUE 78 MARCH 2017 PRICELESS

magazine

WEST NORFOLK | NORTH NORFOLK | COASTAL

COVER IMAGE King’s Lynn by Ian Ward

meet the team MANAGING DIRECTOR Laura Murray MANAGING EDITOR Eric Secker DESIGN TEAM Amy Phillips Lisa Tonroe PHOTOGRAPHY Ian Ward PROMOTION Nicola Back ADVERTISING Jessica Smith CONTRIBUTORS Clare Bee Richard Parr Sylvia Steele

contact 18 Tuesday Market Place King’s Lynn PE30 1JW 01553 601201 info@klmagazine.co.uk KL magazine is published monthly by KL Publications Ltd. The 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.

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he sumptuous interior above is part of Raynham Hall, and next month the 8th Marquess Townshend and his wife Alison will be welcoming visitors to explore this sleeping beauty of a house – and to enjoy a series of classical concerts in this grandest of settings. Lady Townshend kindly gave us a fascinating insight into her family home, and how the events will help the preservation of some treasured artworks that came to the house courtesy of Charles II. You can read more about Raynham Hall on page 8 of this issue. Charles II makes another appearance in the magazine this month. In 1683, a rather flamboyant statue of the king was installed on the exterior of the new Custom House in King’s Lynn. It wasn’t the first statue to be erected in the town and it certainly wasn’t the last – the most recent (of the infamous King John) was only unveiled last year. Clare Bee takes a closer look at these statues and the personalities they represent on page 16. Of course, with the arrival of spring we’ll all be looking forward to getting out and exploring this most beautiful of counties – and we’ve got some great ideas to get you started, such as the Old Lighthouse at Hunstanton and the windpump at Horsey. Both are now enjoying new leases of life, and there are few places in the country that offer the opportunity to stay overnight in an historic lighthouse with a world’s-first claim to fame. Of course, if you’d rather curl up in front of a good film on these lovely spring evenings, there are few things better – although we can think of one. Enjoying a movie in the company of the King’s Lynn Community Cinema Club; people with a true passion for film, who love nothing more than talking about the finer points of modern gems and classic masterpieces. We’ve had a lot of fun putting this month’s magazine together, and we hope you enjoy reading it. See you again next month! KL MAGAZINE

KLmagazine March 2017

Contents

MARCH 2017

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28 36 KLmagazine March 2017

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6-13 WHAT’S ON This month’s diary of forthcoming events

44-46 FINDING ANGLO-SAXON NORFOLK Amazing discoveries at Great Ryburgh

8-10 MUSIC AND MASTERPIECES... A season of classical concerts at Raynham Hall

54-60 FASHION Inspirational ideas from our local boutiques

14 KING’S LYNN CORN EXCHANGE Live music, comedy and half-term fun

64-66 A TASTE OF THE 18TH CENTURY The historic recipes of Katherine Windham

16-18 THE STATUES OF KING’S LYNN From English kings to Roman goddesses

68-74 FOOD AND DRINK Reviews, recipes and recommendations

22-24 HUNSTANTON LIGHTHOUSE The story of the Old Lighthouse at Hunstanton

71 RESTAURANT REVIEW KL magazine visits Titchwell Manor

28-30 THE BEARD BEHIND THE BRAND Inside the weird world of Captain Fawcett

76-78 WINBIRRI WINES Enjoying a taste of the county’s vintage

33 A SHELLFISH IDEA... Protect your business identity with Hayes & Storr

80-82 HORSEY WINDPUMP An iconic building gets a facelift

35 THE NEW ISA IS HERE Help and advice from Stephenson Smart

88-90 AGE UK NORFOLK 70 years of help for our local elderly

36-38 IT’S A CHAMPION DOG’S LIFE! A look at the work of Ocobo Kennels

92-94 THE MAGIC OF THE MOVIES The King’s Lynn Community Film Club

41 YOU AND YOUR PETS With local vet Alex Dallas

96 ART WITH AN EMPHASIS ON COLOUR The work of local artist Danny Keen

78 THEN & NOW The changing face of West Norfolk

106 MICHAEL MIDDLETON Not such a trivial pursuit...

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KLmagazine March 2017

March Begins Wednesday 15th

Friday 24th

THE HERMITAGE ENSEMBLE MALE VOICE CHOIR Walpole St Peter’s Church, Wisbech, PE14 7NS (7:30pm) The Hermitage Ensemble Male Voice Choir is a group of five male soloists who sing totally unaccompanied (Russian Orthodox Church music never was accompanied by instruments). As individuals, they are at home in the opera houses and concert halls of St Petersburg, but they see it as their goal to maintain the Russian traditions of Church and Folk music and to bring that sound to the West. Tickets are £15 and can be bought from Michael on 01553 849988 or online at www.wegottickets.com/WalpoleStPetersChurch.

OSTEOPOROSIS NEWLY DIAGNOSED COURSE London Road Methodist Hall, County Court Road PE30 5EJ (10:30 to 12noon) Research has shown that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer a fracture due to Osteoporosis (porous bones) in their lifetime. Along with providing support to sufferers, raising awareness and fundraising, the King’s Lynn and district branch of the National Osteoporosis Society have been running extremely successful FREE courses. The course dates are as follows; 15th, 22nd, 29th March and 5th April. The course will cover osteoporosis and osteopenia the basics, medication, risk factors, scanning information, diet, pain management and exercise. If you are interested in attending or would like more information please contact Edith on 01553 773309 or you can email her at edith.finbow@btinternet.com.

Thursday 30th & Friday 31st

Friday 24th - Sunday 26th

DEEPDALE SPRING MARKET Dalegate Market, Burnham Deepdale PE31 8FB (10am-5pm) The start of Spring on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast, Dalegate Market will host 50+ Norfolk artisans and producers in two large marquees (Dalegate Tent & Orchard Tent), the beach hut Pop Up Shops and many outside stalls. Of course the wonderful shops and Deepdale Cafe of Dalegate Market will be open throughout the weekend. There’s also free entry and free car parking (in the Dalegate Lane field). Deepdale Spring Market is part of the Deepdale Hygge a celebration of the beautiful North Norfolk Coast. Check out www.deepdalespringmarket for further details or contact 01485 210305 for more information. KLmagazine March 2017

TRUE’S YARD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS King’s Lynn Town Hall & The Hanse House, King’s Lynn True’s Yard museum will be celebrating its 26th birthday following a year of fundraising for its Silver Jubilee year. The celebrations begin on Thursday 30th March with the annual Pat Midgley Memorial Lecture, held in honour of the Museum’s founder, at 7pm in the King’s Lynn Town Hall. This year the subject is The Baden Powell 1900-2017 by Dr Paul Richards, Tim Clayton and Ken Hill. The talk will explore The Baden Powell’s history and the work that has been lovingly undertaken to restore her. Tickets are £5 per person, funds raised will be shared between the True’s Yard and The Worfolk Boat Trust. On Friday 31st March True’s Yard’s birthday will be marked by a meal at The Hanse House (7pm for 7:30pm). This will include a two course meal – with dessert kindly provided by the Friends of True’s Yard. Tickets are £15 per person - places will be limited, so it is advised that you book quickly! All funds raised will go to the Silver Jubilee Appeal. Tickets for both events can be purchased from True’s Yard. For further details on both these events call 01553 770479 or email info@truesyard.co.uk. 7

JOBS FOR THE GARDEN in March

Apply potato fertiliser before planting seed potatoes Sow early lettuces, carrots and other vegetable seeds outside but they may require protection with cloches or tunnels Summer Houses

Early planting of onion sets & shallots will lengthen the growing season resulting in larger individual bulbs. Garlic & rhubarb can also be planted now Start planting shrubs & cottage garden plants as the weather warms up

Conservatories

Garden Rooms

Single/Double/Triple Quad Cart Sheds Orangery

Porches

Extensions

Bespoke Projects & More

Hartson Oak, 39 Lime Walk, Long Sutton PE12 9HG Tel: 01406 821990 | Mob: 07551 188962 www.hartsonoak.co.uk

FROM PLANNING TO CONSTRUCTION Dig plenty of organic farmyard manure into your soil ready for planting vegetables Top-dress pots & containers of established shrubs & perennials with fresh compost & slow release fertiliser. Remember to use ericaceous compost & feed for acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons & camellias

Visit Thaxters for everything you’ll need for your garden...

and don’t forget to visit our coffee shop for a relaxing slice of cake or scone!

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49 Hunstanton Road, Dersingham, King’s Lynn PE31 6NA | Open 8am – 6pm Daily www.thaxters.co.uk | Tel: 01485 541514 12

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KLmagazine March 2017

Coming soon...

Opens Saturday 8th April

PAUL NASH AT THE SAINSBURY CENTRE Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ (Open Tuesday - Friday: 10am to 6pm Saturday - Sunday: 10am to 5pm) Paul Nash (1889 –1946) is among the most important British artists of the first half of the 20th century and a key figure of Modern Art in Britain. Renowned as an official war artist in both the First and Second World Wars, Nash was fascinated with Britain’s landscapes and ancient history. Spanning a lifetime’s work from his earliest drawings to his iconic war time paintings, the exhibition will explore Nash’s central role in the development of modern British art. For more information and to book tickets visit the website www.scva.ac.uk

Sunday 16th April

ACTIVE FAKENHAM EASTER FUNDAY Fakenham Town Centre Active Fakenham is thrilled to announce that they will be repeating last year’s exciting road races and Easter Funday! This will involve a series of official British Cycling road races and a UK Athletics RunEngland 5k running race, as well as a fun run with an Easter Goody bag for children taking part. All runners will get a medal and there will be prizes for winning runners and riders. There will be stalls in the Fakenham Market Place and a one kilometre circuit through the town centre which this year includes a women’s criterium cycle race as well as races for local licensed riders and youth races. Race entries are limited so it is advisable to book early. For further details visit www.activefakenham.org.uk.

Friday 14th - Monday 17th April

EASTER AT HOLKHAM Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea NR23 1AB Hop-along to Holkham for four days packed full of ‘egg-citing’ things to do over Easter. The ‘egg-cellent’ events and activities will be great fun for all the family and Holkham Hall will be open each day. The Field to Fork Experience is a great place to start your adventure, the Easter bunny will be there to welcome you and will set you off on some exciting trails to test your skills. Then it’s a short walk across to the Hall where spring has sprung with vibrant displays of flowers. There will be origami fun time too and there’s a chance to create your very own ‘hoppy’ friend or discover the animals that roam at Holkham with the footprint quiz. The popular Kiddy Cook team will be back this year in the old kitchen. Climb aboard the Easter Express and take a trailer ride over to the Walled Garden where the fun continues. There’s exciting games and quizzes to play, or why not visit the storyteller’s enchanted yurt, where different cultures are brought to life. This Easter, some fluffy friends from Party Animals will be visiting and eagerly waiting to meet you, while Holkham’s face painting expert is on hand to transform you into your favourite Easter animal. For more information visit the website www.holkham.co.uk/events/easter-at-holkham. KLmagazine March 2017

Thursday 27th April

MARTINIS, MUSIC AND MUSES Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough PE1 1NT (5pm) Dig out your stilettos, get your glam on and grab your friends as Queensgate Shopping Centre introduces a sensational evening of Martinis, Music and Muses. Headlined by celebrity DJ Lauren Pope, the glamorous evening of cocktails, dancing and discounts will feature two stunning cocktail bars complete with model waiters, a VIP area, chill out lounge and gaming zone. Free for everyone to attend, relax with a complimentary Martini cocktail, hit the dance floor and, of course, shop, shop, shop! There will also be a guest appearance by celebrity blogger Megan Gilbride of Wonderful You who will be on hand to give her leading fashion advice and tips for the new season! For further details on the event visit the Facebook page www.facebook.com/queensgate.

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What’s On

ABOVE: Raynham Hall invites you to explore this warmly welcoming and sleeping treasure of a house with a series of open days and musical events beginning next month

The chance to explore Norfolk’s sleeping treasure The family home of Charles, the 8th Marquess Townshend and his wife Alison is also one of England’s most beautiful houses – and Raynham Hall is about to open its doors to the public...

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ext month, the remarkable great house of Raynham Hall will be opening its doors to the public for a series of open days and musical performances designed to help the restoration and preservation of some historically important works of art. Raynham Hall itself is a true architectural wonder. It was designed and built by Sir Roger Townshend, the first work starting in 1620. What he achieved was a building generally

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regarded as being 90 years ahead of its time. No expense was spared on the beautiful and enduring structure; the brickwork on the front wings is exquisite, the colours marrying beautifully with the stone dressings. It sits in a landscape framed by an avenue of ancient limes leading up from a lake at the bottom of a hill, close to a pretty church in a park. The facade, with its Dutch-style gables and large windows, shows off a house which is welcoming and in no way daunting. Everyone who explores this house wants to live in it,

and that includes the local bird population – there’s a constant fight to stop the jackdaws losing their babies down the chimneys! Thanks to Charles, the 8th Marquess Townshend and his wife Alison (for whom the building is a family home), Raynham Hall has an inviting atmosphere to this day. Inside the main door, visitors are enveloped in light pouring into a double-height room from the eight windows set into the west wall of the entrance. The floor is chequered in black and

KLmagazine March 2017

KLmagazine March 2017

PICTURE: WWW.JACOBCORDOVER.COM

white marble tiles, the plasterwork around the walls (some of it dating back to the 17th century) is sublime. The more ornate touches were designed by William Kent. Kent was commissioned to transform the interiors by ‘Turnip Townshend’ – the brilliant and handsome polymath 2nd Viscount and the grandson of Sir Roger. You can now explore this previously hidden, sleeping treasure of a house in North Norfolk by booking one of Raynham Hall’s two Open Days on Saturday April 8th and Wednesday July 12th. Between the two dates, there’s a special performance of Handel’s Acis & Galatea by the Royal Academy of Music on Saturday April 22nd, who’ll be presenting one of the greatest pastoral operas ever written in the wonderful setting of the building’s Marble Hall. The annual Raynham Recitals will be taking place in June and September, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy world-class musicians perform programmes ranging from Monteverdi to Noel Coward featuring voice, guitar, harpsichord and cello. The performances have a intimate feel and the acoustics are utterly superb, making for a really memorable evening or afternoon. Details of all the events are on the Raynham Recitals and Ticket Source websites below. Enjoyable as they are, the Open Days and musical performances do have a serious purpose. All proceeds from these events go into Raynham Hall’s Restoration Fund – and a recent discovery makes fundraising all the more urgent for reasons that will be of great interest to both experts and informal visitors. The father of the 2nd Viscount (who commissioned William Kent to work at Raynham) was Sir Horatio Townshend, later Baron Lynn whose portrait hangs in King’s Lynn Town Hall. Horatio was part of the close circle around Charles II, and was one of the party of 12 MPs appointed by Parliament to bring the King back from Holland to regain his throne. The grateful King elevated Horatio to a Viscountcy, and it’s probable that gratitude extended to the present of two very significant 17th century paintings which have remained at Raynham Hall throughout all the usual crises and upheavals of an historic house. Despite the sale of 196 pictures from the collection at Raynham in 1904 (most of them portraits of people close to the family) these two paintings have always been treasured and kept safe. The restoration and authentication of

PICTURES: A portrait of 2nd Viscount Charles Townshend by Sir Godfrey Kneller (now in the National Portrait Gallery) and the internationally-acclaimed concert and recording artist Jacob Cordover, who’ll be celebrating evocative and passionate works for the Spanish guitar in Raynham Hall’s stunning Marble Hall (bottom left) in September. Top right is a view of the hall’s sumptuous Belisarius Room, hung with portraits of the historically-important personalities who’ve lived at the hall since it was built in the 17th century.

these artworks is the most exciting project on which Lord and Lady Townshend have embarked on; they are portraits of the children of Charles I, depicting Charles II as a child with his siblings. In particular, there’s a very moving depiction in two halves of his sisters Princess Elizabeth and Princess Henrietta as young children. The portraits are currently undergoing cleaning and conservation treatments and can be seen in that state at the Hall this year. After the

recent cleaning away of clumsy overpainting, it was revealed that they are probably the work of court painter Cornelius Johnson – who was the first British-born artist to consistently sign and date his paintings and whose studio was next to that of Van Dyck in London. When additional funds have been raised, the paintings will return to the conservation studio of Kiffy StainerHutchins & Co at Houghton for further work and research to prove the provenance.

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What’s On

ABOVE: Currently undergoing restoration, these important portraits of Charles II’s sisters the Pincesses Elizabeth (left) and Henrietta (right) have been at Raynham Hall since they were given to Sir Horatio Townshend. Below is the world-famous 1936 photograph of the ‘Brown Lady’ – believed to be the ghost of Lady Dorothy Walpole, the wife of 2nd Viscount Charles Townshend

Of course, everyone knows the story of the Brown Lady at Raynham and her photographed ghost on the Oak Stair. Dorothy (or Dolly) was the beloved wife of the 2nd Viscount. She became ill and a fortune was spent on medical advice by her despairing husband in the hope of a recovery. Despite fanciful versions of the story to the contrary, historical proof of the 2nd Viscount’s devotion was found at Raynham in the 1960s – with trunks full of medical bills suggesting Dorothy’s spirit is now at peace. The walls of Raynham Hall – from the Music Room to the Marble Hall, from the State Dining Room to the Belisarius Room – are hung with many portraits that feature the building’s past inhabitants and speak of a rich historical legacy. Horatio and the 2nd Viscount were

preceded by ancestors who were famous soldiers and naval commanders who rebuffed the Spanish Armada and fought for the Crown against Cromwell. They descended in part from the Bacon family who served Queen Elizabeth I and built a series of great houses. They were followed by an explosion of brilliance in the 18th century – the 1st Marquess Townshend founded the Norfolk Militia and was one of Wolfe’s generals at the astounding victory against the French at Quebec; his brother (nicknamed ‘Champagne Charlie’ because of his love of the wine and fizzing style of oratory in the House of Commons) was Chancellor of the Exchequer; and the 1st Viscount Sydney, Thomas Townshend, was an enlightened Home Secretary in whose honour the inhabitants of Australia and Nova Scotia named two of their cities. Raynham Hall is one of the most fascinating and beautiful houses in England – and visiting the family home of Charles, the 8th Marquess Townshend and his wife Alison is a

hugely enjoyable and rewarding experience – whether you’re touring the magnificent rooms or enjoying a classical music concert.

RAYNHAM HALL East Raynham, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 7EP For further information and details of this year’s events, please see www.raynhamrecitals.co.uk or www.ticketsource.co.uk/raynhamrecitals

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KLmagazine March 2017

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Peter Pan on Ice! Visit the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn Corn Exchange this month to see the stage transformed into an ice rink, for the world-renowned Russian Ice Stars performance of Peter Pan on Ice.

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eplidge International Ltd proudly perfectly recreated in this spectacular presents The Russian Ice Stars in adaptation on ice. So come with me, where dreams are Peter Pan on Ice. born, and time is never planned. Just The world-renowned Russian Ice think of happy things, and your heart Stars bring a new adaptation of this will fly on wings, forever, in Never famous fantasy adventure by J.M. Never Land! Barrie. Wendy, Michael and John Based on the story by J.M. Barrie. By are visited in the nursery by Peter arrangement with Great Ormond Street Pan himself, who teaches them to Hospital Children's Charity and Samuel fly with the help of Tinker Bell, and French Ltd. takes them on a magical journey to Never Land. Packed with all your favourite characters including Tiger Lilly, PETER PAN ON ICE Mr Smee and the vengeful Captain Hook whose appetite for revenge is Wednesday 15th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday 19t h March Wed & Thu 2.30pm & 7.30pm Fri 7.30pm Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm Sun 1pm & 4.30pm

Tickets are available from our Box Office on 01553 764864 or book online at: kingslynncornexchange.co.uk @klcornexchange @klcornexchange

Alive Corn Exchange

What’s On

Easter Holiday fun at the Alive Leisure venues We have some great activities to keep children entertained this Easter Alive Corn Exchange THE WIZARD OF OZ – EASTER PANTO Thursday 6th April Join Kansas farm-girl Dorothy and her pet dog Toto on this magical adventure suitable for all ages. Watch in amazement as they are picked up by a tornado and carried off to the magical Land of Oz. Will the wonderful Wizard of Oz be able to help them before the Wicked Witch of the West captures them in her dungeon? Starring Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh & Pudsey as Dorothy and Toto and comedy legend Bobby Davro as Scarecrow.

Alive Oasis 01485 534227 Fun Castle Challenge, Junior Fitness, Table Tennis, Runaround Games, Junior Circuits, Parachute Games, Benchball, Arts and Crafts and Swimming Family Fun sessions.

Alive Downham Leisure 01366 386868 Activities include Holiday Clubs with Cricket, Tennis, Nerf-Tag, Football, Basketball plus Junior Fitness, Archery, Roller Skating, plus Swimming Family Fun sessions and Swimming Crash Courses.

EASTER POOL PARTIES Saturday 8th April Due to popular demand our ‘egg-cellent’ pool parties return for the Easter Holidays. Come and swim in our coloured pools with fun floats and inflatables. St James Pool: 12.15 – 1.15pm & 4-5pm. Downham Leisure: Noon-1pm & 4.30-5.30pm. Oasis: 1-2pm & 5-6pm. Booking is essential as maximum numbers apply.

Alive Lynnsport 01553 818001 Activities include Holiday and Breakfast clubs every day! Tennis Camps, plus Mini Camp Chaos, Tumble Teds, Trampolining, Junior Gymnastics, Roller Skating, Indoor Adventure Play and Gladiator Challenge.

Alive St James Pool 01553 764888 Swimming Crash Courses and Family Fun sessions. Plus your chance to gain your National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ).

For the full programme of what’s on this Easter at the Alive Leisure venues, pick up a copy of our Easter brochure out now or check out the website www.aliveleisure.co.uk

Local Life

ABOVE: King John is the most recent addition to the public statues in King’s Lynn, which include Roman goddesses, local businessmen and famous explorers. Opposite are the statues of (clockwise) Charles I, Edward VII, Charles II and Frederick Savage.

Face to face with the statues of King’s Lynn... We pass them every day, but most of us give little thought to who they are and how they played a part in the history of King’s Lynn. Clare Bee takes a closer look at the public statues around the town

E

ight hundred years to the day after King John visited King’s Lynn prior to losing his royal treasures in the Wash on October 12th 1216, the newest statue in the town was unveiled by Mayor David Whitby. This impressive life-sized bronze of a much-maligned monarch (there’s a reason we’ve never been ruled by a John II) stands in New Conduit Street in the town centre, and was made by Scottish sculptor Alan Beattie Herriot, who was there to see his work unveiled. Legend has it that King John was travelling north from Lynn on his way to Lincoln when his treasure, including crown jewels, gold and money, was lost as he took a foolhardy shortcut across

KLmagazine March 2017

the Wash. During his reign, Bishop’s Lynn (as it was known at the time) was one of the four top English towns, and John had visited the town as he travelled around the country. He reigned from 1199 to 1216, and is best known for being the most reviled monarch ever to rule in England. As well as losing the crown jewels, he also lost an empire and is most associated with the Magna Carta – which received his royal seal in 1215. However, he had a special relationship with Lynn and granted the town a special charter in 1204, enabling the merchant guilds the ability to govern themselves. The statue of King John is the latest of many statues around the town,

celebrating a variety of interesting characters. Captain George Vancouver, of course, is one of King’s Lynn’s most famous sons, and his statue can be found on the quayside near the Custom House. A great navigator and surveyor, George Vancouver is commemorated for precisely charting the many thousands of miles of the northwest Pacific coastline, from San Diego in California to Anchorage in Alaska between 179195. His statue, shows him holding scrolled papers in his right hand and a telescope in his left, looking out to the west. Erected in 2000 and cast in fibreglass and bronze, he stands on a granite stone plinth gifted by the city of Vancouver in Canada – which

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Local Life

ABOVE: Penelope Reeve’s statue of George Vancouver by the Custom House in King’s Lynn and (below) the statue of Ceres atop the town’s Corn Exchange. Made by Cruso & Maberley, the Roman goddess of agriculture has looked over the Tuesday Market Place since 1855.

possesses its own full-size statue of the navigator outside its city hall. Another colourful local character immortalised in a statue is Frederick Savage, who was Mayor of the town from 1889-90 and was a famous entrepreneur, engineer and manufacturer of fairground rides. This is the only statue of a civic dignitary in King’s Lynn, which may have less to do with the stature of the man himself than the fact that Savage subsidised it himself! Depicted in mayoral robes and regalia, Savage came from humble beginnings. Following the deportation of his father to Australia (for poaching), he started working as a smithy before moving onto making farm implements. After expanding into larger works, he became involved in fairground rides, applying steam driven technology to the rides set up by travelling showmen. He went on to produce steam swings, a gondola switchback, a sea-on-land ride and galloping cockerels. King’s Lynn also features statues of England’s two King Charles, looking down at passersby from lofty positions in close proximity. The robed statue of King Charles l stands in a recessed niche

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at centre roof level above Bank House on King’s Staithe Square. He’s shown wearing knight’s armour with a laurel wreath and insignia round his neck, with his left hand resting on his sword. King’s Lynn was at that time a Royalist town and wanted to show its allegiance to the king against the forces of Oliver Cromwell in the mid 17th century. It’s believed this statue came from the nearby Custom House, but that iconic building certainly features his successor Charles ll above the main entrance. Built in 1683 during the final years of Charles’ reign, the statue shows him as a bewigged figure in full regal regalia. Like his father, he’s shown as a knight of the Order of the Garter and is holding the Sceptre of the Cross made for his coronation in 1661. The Custom House’s keystones (facing the river Great Ouse) show a youthful Bacchus crowned with grapes and Ceres, with sheaves of corn, who is also found above the Corn Exchange on the Tuesday Market Place. Ceres is the Roman Goddess of Corn and can be seen above many former Corn Exchanges throughout the country. The grand facade of the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange is freely based on

Roman triumphal arches, with three openings divided by ionic (fluted) columns. Sheaves of corn are to be seen at either side of the doorways, with Ceres standing high above the pediment. Installed in 1854, her perfect features and straight nose conform to the classical style and she is shown wearing heavy drapery and (of course) holding sheaves of corn – although you’ll need good eyes to see all the detail! Our journey around the statues of King’s Lynn leads finally to another king with connections to the town. King Edward Vll Academy (known locally as KES) was founded in the early 16th century by Mayor Thomas Thoresby, who wanted local children to be taught “in grammar and song.” Nearly 400 years later, former pupil William Lancaster offered to pay for a new school and invited King Edward Vll, Queen Alexandra and other members of the royal family to come from Sandringham for the opening of the school on November 5th 1906. After making a speech in the main hall, the King knighted Lancaster in recognition of his generosity. The bronze statue of the King, by Robert Colton, was later unveiled by Queen Alexandra. The statue shows Edward larger than life and seated, slightly turned towards the original gates as if in welcome to visitors. He is shown as the Great Master of the Order of the Bath, a role he held from 1897 until his accession in 1901. The long history of King’s Lynn, showing its importance as both a town and port, is commemorated in stone and bronze in these marvellous statues. It’s important to celebrate those who were part of this history, and to remember their part in the story of King’s Lynn.

KLmagazine March 2017

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KLmagazine January 2017

NEW SHOWROOM

NOW OPEN!

2 Y DESIGNED 6,000ft OF LOCALL FURNITURE AND HANDCRAFTED

A unique showroom full of finely-crafted furniture... Discover the distinctive quality of Bespoke Pine n Oak’s new showroom

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lthough it’s only been open for a few weeks, Bespoke Pine n Oak’s stunning new showroom just outside King’s Lynn has already proved an enormous success, drawing visitors from near and far afield to enjoy a veritable feast of superbly designed and finely hand-crafted furniture. It’s hardly surprising, as the showroom features well over 20 different furniture ranges and over 700 individual pieces – from kitchens to wardrobes, from beds to dining suites, and from complete libraries to innovative storage solutions. Constructed from responsiblysourced solid oak and pine and available in a range of painted, waxed

IF YOU CAN DRAW IT, WE CAN MAKE IT!

and laquered finishes, it’s one of the biggest furniture choices for miles around – and it’s not the only reason why Bespoke Pine n Oak may actually be unique in the whole country. “Go virtually anywhere else and you’ll have to wait for anything up to four months for your furniture to arrive,” says Kevin Berry. “Everything in our showroom is available immediately – everything you see is on sale and nothing has to be ordered in.” But that’s not all. Bespoke Pine n Oak also has a large on-site workshop where Kevin’s fellow director Carl Ingram hand builds outstanding and distinctive tailor-made furniture to exacting standards using the very finest

traditions of craftsmanship. “Although you can buy anything in our showroom today, there’s nothing quite like handcrafted furniture,” says Kevin. “With our wide experience and first-class woodworking skills, we really can make anything. All we need are your ideas and we can craft any style, any shape, and any size for any room – and it’s well worth waiting for!” With plenty of parking right outside the door, an unrivalled choice of high quality furniture, a true commitment to customer care and a truly bespoke service that’s second to none, there’s never been a better time to discover the unique experience of Bespoke Pine n Oak. Come and see us today!

Bespoke Pine n Oak www.bespokepinenoakltd.com

KLmagazine January 2017

Unit 1, Hamlin Way Hardwick Narrows Estate King’s Lynn PE30 4NG Telephone: 01553 277515

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PICTURE: IAN WARD

PICTURE: NORFOLK COAST HOLIDAY COTTAGES

Local Life

ABOVE: The home of the world’s first parabolic reflector in 1776 is now a luxuriously appointed holiday home, following last year’s refurbishment by L&J Leisure Group, who took over the iconic Old Lighthouse in Hunstanton 176 years after it was built in 1840.

From lifesaving beacon to luxury holiday home A lighthouse has stood on St Edmund’s Point at Hunstanton for over 350 year, but although the keepers have long gone, it’s still very much part of the town’s life, as Clare Bee discovers...

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erched on top of the cliffs, in the only place on the east coast of England which faces west, stands the Old Lighthouse in Hunstanton. As a working lighthouse, its location on the northwest corner of West Norfolk, looking out into the Wash, made it an ideal place to guide the many ships coming into the port of King’s Lynn. This was once a busy sea lane, as King’s Lynn was at one time ranked the third most important port in England – albeit in the 14th century! The wonderful location and uninterrupted sea views now make the Old Lighthouse the perfect place for a holiday home, and its unique and quirky

KLmagazine March 2017

charm add to its popularity. Its tower provides 360-degree views out into the Wash and over the town and countryside beyond, and provides an unrivalled position for keen stargazers. Visitors able to climb the 62 steps to the top of the tower have the chance to be rewarded with one of Hunstanton’s wonderful sunsets. The current lighthouse, which is a Grade II listed building, was built in 1840, although a lighthouse has stood on this site (St Edmund’s Point) since 1665. The first lighthouse was built of wood with an iron basket of burning coals to warn seafarers of impending danger, and in 1776, it became the first lighthouse in the world to have a

parabolic reflector installed – which became the popular choice for the majority of lighthouses until the 19th century. The current lighthouse ceased operating in 1922, when it was closed down and had the lantern removed. In 1964 the building was sold by the local council following an advertisement in The Times for the grand sum of £4,740 – with no fewer than 70 offers being received in only two days! It subsequently became a private residence, and after many years of family ownership is now used as luxury self-catering accommodation. The lighthouse was taken over by L&J Leisure Group last year and had a 23

ABOVE: Although no longer in use and occupied only by 21st century holidaymakers, the Old Lighthouse in Hunstanton retains much of its original character. Inset is an atmospheric postcard dating to around 1890-1900, and below is an aerial view of the lighthouse taken in 1920.

complete refurbishment following the 2016 summer season, making it into a comfortable and homely place to stay. As a Hunstanton-based business, the company regard themselves as guardians of this important iconic landmark, and are keen to look after it for the future. The group also owns Briarfields Hotel in nearby Titchwell, The Lodge in Old Hunstanton and Norfolk Coast Holiday Cottages, so are familiar with the area and keen to encourage visitors to experience the many sights and activities West Norfolk has to offer. The top-to-toe makeover of the Lighthouse has seen it transformed into a truly luxurious property. On the first floor, the living space features an open plan lounge, dining area and kitchen, and even includes a telescope for studying the sky at night. The property can accommodate up

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to eight guests in four beautifully furnished bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms, situated on two floors. With its lighthouse shape, the interior doesn’t exactly conform to the normal room layout, but this all adds to its individual charm. It’s also perfect for families or small groups of friends, and children would be thrilled to be staying in such a unique holiday home. The well-equipped kitchen has a large range cooker for easy home cooking, or if that’s not what you want to be doing on holiday, The Lodge nearby in Old Hunstanton offers a chef and butler service for that special luxury dining experience. Outside, there’s a large private garden and patio area and off-road parking, and is within close walking distance of many of Hunstanton’s favourite activities. The lighthouse is situated directly above the town’s legendary

cliffs and only a step away from the wide sandy beaches of Old Hunstanton and the 9-hole pitch-and-putt golf course, which is suitable for the whole family. The cliffs are famous for their distinctive formation of marine origins and their striking layers, formed during the lower and upper cretaceous period (approximately 145 million to 66 million years ago). The base of the cliffs consist of reddish-brown carstone, with the famous Hunstanton red rock sequence above it. This red rock is rich in fossils and is actually made of chalk with the red colour coming from iron pigments. The top layer is of white Ferriby chalk and was laid down in deep marine conditions and consist of a series of distinctive beds rather than being a uniform structure. The beach below the cliffs is rocky and pebbly and will delight any child (or adult) who wants to go shrimping among the rocks. Being west facing, the setting sun lights up the colourful layers of the cliffs. The lighthouse has also played its part in the defence of our country. During World War One it was used as a base for secret wireless transmissions monitoring German navy signals, and it was called to the nation’s service again in World War II when it was used as an observation station and gunnery. The Old Lighthouse in Hunstanton has played a unique role in the history of West Norfolk over the centuries. It stands proudly above the cliffs and beach, and with the love and care lavished on it recently, will continue far into the future to stand out as one of Norfolk’s most iconic landmarks. For more details and information about staying at the Old Lighthouse, please see norfolkcoastholidaycottages.co.uk

PICTURE: HISTORIC ENGLAND

PICTURE: NORFOLK COAST HOLIDAY COTTAGES

Local Life

KLmagazine March 2017

Fresh ideas for Spring from Norfolk Leisure... S

A world of fabulous ideas to transform your outdoor living space! pring always brings out the best in Norfolk Leisure. For over 25 years, the Setchey-based company’s passion for outdoor living has seen them bring a world of innovative ideas, unique flair and exclusive award-winning designs to every outdoor space. From complete suites to dining tables, chairs and lounges, from stunning firepits to contemporary storage solutions, the fabulous new Norfolk Leisure collections for 2017 offer a wealth of stylish good looks, comfortable lines and practical benefits. You’ll discover garden furniture in both real teak and plastic compounds so realistic they’re virtually indistinguishable from real wood. You’ll

discover easy-maintenance features such as waterproof cushions, and modern touches such as garden parasols with built-in USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity. And in line with Norfolk Leisure’s customer-focused approach, all products are manufactured to the very highest standards from responsiblysourced materials – and are fully compliant with all current health and safety requirements. For a closer look at just how amazing your garden can be this Spring, visit the Norfolk Leisure showroom at Setchey, just outside King’s Lynn. You’ll always find a warm welcome, some of the best outdoor furniture you’ll find anywhere in the country – and a selection of

production samples, exclusives and one-offs at budget prices. Welcome to the even greater outdoors – welcome to Norfolk Leisure! The Norfolk Leisure showroom is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and from March will also be open at weekends from 10am-4pm.

Garage Lane, Setchey, King’s Lynn Norfolk PE33 0AX | Telephone: 01553 811717 Website: www.norfolkleisure.com | E-mail: sales@norfolkleisure.co.uk KLmagazine March 2017

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KLmagazine March 2017

We’re here for when one size doesn’t fit all... Professional and individually dispensed frames from Hunstanton EyeCare

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lthough the fashion industry may like us to conform to specific sizes and shapes, that ‘one size fits all’ philosophy fails to recognise that we all have characteristics unique to ourselves – and that’s never more true than when it comes to eyewear. Part of our training to become dispensing opticians is learning how to take accurate measurements of faces and spectacle frames. In theory, we can hand-make a frame to fit like a glove, rather like a tailor measures someone for a bespoke suit. In fact, a perfectly fitting pair of spectacles can take as many as 20 separate head and face measurements. Even though most frames today are manufactured in one size, a fully qualified dispensing optician should be able to match a suitable frame to a customer’s individual facial features with a great deal of accuracy. A professionally fitted frame will hold the lenses in the

correct place for the best optical performance (and hence the best vision) and will be perfectly comfortable as well. Of course, some faces are rather special and need particular attention, and people with Down’s syndrome are one such group. The bridge of the nose is generally flatter and lower, which often means that conventional frames sit far too low – resulting in the person looking over the frame rather than through the lenses. A dispensing colleague of mine has created a range of frames specifically designed for these special faces. Robust and durable (thanks to the use of titanium and memory flex) the Erin’s World range is custom designed so the ‘eye’ of the frame sits higher and the person looks through the centre of the lens – where the optical quality is at its best. It’s particularly important that as children, this group has access to wellfitting spectacles so they can reach their full

potential and not be hampered by poor vision. In adulthood they should be able to wear a quality frame that’s not only stylish, but provides good vision and comfort. And that applies to everyone. We have a huge variety of all sorts of frames at Hunstanton EyeCare for all sorts of people, so whatever the eyecare needs of you and your family, we look forward to seeing you soon. ANNETTE BALL FBDO (Hons) LVA Dispensing Optician and Low Vision Practitioner

44 Church Street, Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36 5HD Tel: 01485 532326 E-mail: info@eyecarenorfolk.co.uk Open: Monday-Friday 9am-1pm, 2-5pm | Saturdays 8am-1pm PART OF EYECARE NORFOLK, TRADING AS HUNSTANTON EYECARE AND CROMER EYECARE KLmagazine March 2017

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PICTURE: IAN WARD

Local Life

ABOVE: Some of the beautifully-packaged gentleman’s grooming requisites from Captain Fawcett’s Emporium in King’s Lynn, founded by the larger-than-life character of Richie Finney (opposite), who describes the business as “very Phileas Fogg and Colonel Blimp, and all a bit bonkers!”

Captain Fawcett and the beard behind the brand Mens’ grooming has never been so popular, and the fashionable wearing of beards has brought a new brand to King’s Lynn. Clare Bee enters the weird and wonderful world of Captain Fawcett...

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ntering Captain Fawcett’s Emporium in King’s Lynn is like taking a step back in time. But herein lies the home of a simply delectable and very contemporary range of first class gentleman’s grooming requisites – from moustache wax and beard oil to parfum, gifts and accessories, you’ll find everything for the modern bearded or moustachioed man. Captain Peabody Fawcett RN Ret’d was an intrepid and eminent Edwardian explorer, but he disappeared in 1905 whilst attempting to navigate to the source of the Ubangi River, the largest

KLmagazine March 2017

tributary of the Congo River in central Africa. No trace was ever found of Captain Fawcett or his expedition, but over 90 years later, in 1997, a battered old trunk was purchased at a house clearance sale and found to contain an exquisite dressing case belonging to the Captain. Among the ointments and salves, and alongside the missing journals of the long-lost adventurer, were found meticulously detailed lists of exotic ingredients for use in the Captain’s very own grooming requisites. The formulae for these products have been faithfully followed and are now available for the discerning modern day

gentleman – and the name (or should that be beard) behind the renaissance of Captain Fawcett is West Norfolk man Richie Finney. A lifelong beard owner, Richie’s been making his own moustache wax for over 25 years. One day, as he happened to be whiling away a couple of hours in Wincanton, Somerset, he chanced upon a small secondhand shop. As he entered, he saw silhouetted in the doorway a larger-than-life character sporting a fabulous moustache. Inevitably, their conversation turned to a mutual love of facial hair and Richie left the shop with an agreement to return with his jars of moustache

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Local Life

ABOVE: London-based model Ricki Hall helping promote the lauch of Captain Fawcett’s Booze and Baccy collection. The King’s Lynn business has been featured in everything from GQ magazine to the Financial Times.

wax to sell in the shop. Full of excitement, Richie returned home to Norfolk and made 100 jars of his wax together with some homemade labels. However, on returning to Somerset, he was disappointed to be told that only six jars were required by the shop. Fortunately for Richie, his wife worked in the film industry as a makeup designer, and offered to take some to work – where it quickly became very popular. “Somehow, it just got known,” says Richie, who was also involved in the film industry, working as a sound engineer on many well-known movies. As he’d already been making his own moustache wax for many years, he decided the time was right to grasp the nettle and see if he could sell his wax on a larger scale. He duly set about making it in his kitchen, working from 5am to midnight in order to fulfil the orders that were now flooding in. And as luck would have it, his efforts coincided with the beginning of the current fashion for male grooming. “I started about seven years ago,” says Richie, “so I was right there at the beginning, which was very fortunate.” Men’s grooming is now a

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major growth industry, and Captain Fawcett’s products have been promoted in everything from GQ magazine to the Financial Times and is even endorsed by Harley Davidson motorcycles. “I’ve never had to advertise,” Richie says proudly. “I rely wholly on word of mouth and editorial.” By January 2014, with the products taking over his kitchen, Richie decided it was time to move into premises in King’s Lynn. However, the business quickly outgrew these as well and moved earlier this year to its new ‘emporium’ on the Hardwick Narrows Industrial Estate. Here there’s room for production and packing and also plenty of space to pay homage to the explorers of yesteryear, who – to a man – kept a stiff upper lip, regardless. “The whole place is a bit tongue in cheek,” says Richie, “It’s very Phileas Fogg and Colonel Blimp, and all a bit bonkers really!” Bonkers or not, the business continues to move from strength to strength. Richie has brought London-based model Ricki Hall on board, who had famously sported a beard for many years until he had it shaved off last

summer to raise money for charity. Ricki, who has modelled for Diesel, Paul Smith and David Beckham (to name but a few) is a good friend to Captain Fawcett and has collaborated with him to launch his latest fragrance – Booze & Baccy Eau De Parfum. On top of the lighthearted nature of the business, there’s definitely a serious side. Captain Fawcett has also teamed up with Jimmy Niggles Esq, the founder ambassador of Beard Season and cultivator of the world’s first Million Dollar Beard – currently for sale to the highest bidder. Beard Season is a global movement, started by Australian Scott Maggs (aka Jimmy Niggles) to spread awareness and action in the fight against melanoma. Following the death of a friend from this deadly disease, Scott started the movement, aiming to turn beards into life-saving conversations, thereby prompting people to have skin checks. Proceeds from every bottle of Booze and Baccy will go towards fighting this cancer, and Captain Fawcett is proud to support this important work. Captain Fawcett’s Gentleman’s Emporium is a good old-fashioned business, but with a foot firmly planted in the 21st century. Richie steers the ship, but he’s quick to give credit to those who work with him. “I’m a bit like a conductor of an orchestra,” he says. “I don’t know how to play every single instrument, but I know what each one sounds like. And everyone is working to that one vision.” He even seems slightly surprised at his success. “I did this for myself,” he says. “It was never planned, and there was no formula. But I’m hugely thankful at how it’s all turning out.” For more details of Captain Fawcett and his adventures in the world of male grooming, please visit the website at www.captainfawcett.com or e-mail info@captainfawcett.com

KLmagazine March 2017

Your sleep is more important than you think

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KLmagazine March 2017

“Don’t forget that registration of a trademark isn’t something that belongs solely to large corporations...” ANDREA CRAIG Director Hayes + Storr

How to shellfishly defend your property... The professional approach to protecting your business identity ack in 2008 Susie Mason started her Norfolk-based business Gone Crabbing, using Colin the Crab as her eye-catching logo. Susie understood the importance of protecting her brand image and asked me to register both Gone Crabbing and Colin himself as a trademark. Initially, the Intellectual Property Office rejected the application on the grounds that “the words ‘Gone Crabbing’ are devoid of any distinctive character because it would be seen as merely decoration... the image of the smiling crab reinforces the decoration message.” I spent over 30 minutes on the phone to the examiner at the Intellectual Property Office convincing her that nothing could be further from the truth

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in terms of Colin being devoid of any distinctive character. Having reviewed Susie’s impressive website and listened to my arguments, the examiner relented and acknowledged that Susie had built a reputation with a recognised brand, and the mark was duly registered. Following that initial foray, Susie and I have registered all her distinctive characters and slogans – from Sally the Starfish to Steve the Seagull. The registration of a trademark gives the owner the ability to protect their valuable property and prevent other people from copying the mark and seeking to cash in on its marketability. A clever trademark adds value to a brand distinguishing it from its competitors. Before coming to work in Norfolk I looked after the intellectual property belonging to London Transport. The main day-to-day problem we encountered arose from the general

perception that the Underground’s circle and bar device and the iconic map are public property; after all, the underground system is public transport and the circle and bar device is seen as a symbol of London. This isn’t the case however – the Underground sign is trademarked in various different registrations and styles, and there is also copyright in the map. As some of the most recognised brands in the world, that distinctive identity is valuable and so is entitled to protection. If you have a brand you consider carries value, then don’t forget that registration of a trademark isn’t something that belongs solely to large corporations. As Susie Mason has proved by the success of Gone Crabbing – if it’s worth protecting, then it’s worth contacting Hayes & Storr for a professional and personal service.

Hayes + Storr Solicitors & Notaries The Old County Court, County Court Road, King’s Lynn PE30 5EJ Web: www.hayesandstorr.co.uk E-mail: law.kingslynn@hayes-storr.com Offices at: Hunstanton | Fakenham | Holt | Wells | Sheringham Colin the Crab & Gone Crabbing are reproduced with the kind permission of Susie Mason, Gone Crabbing Limited

KLmagazine March 2017

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KLmagazine March 2017

will only be open to new savers until November 30th 2019. During the 2017/18 tax year only, savers who already have a Help-to-Buy ISA will be able to transfer any funds built up before April 6th 2017 into a Lifetime ISA without these counting towards the Lifetime ISA contribution limit.

You, your family, and the new Lifetime ISA If you’re under 40 years old, you may be able to apply for the new Lifetime ISA, which could make a real difference to your finances, as Chris Goad BSc ACA of Stephenson Smart explains... rom April 2017, any adult under the age of 40 will be able to open a new Lifetime ISA account into which they’ll be able to deposit up to £4,000 each tax year. They will then receive a 25% bonus from the government on any savings put into the account before their 50th birthday. Both the tax-free savings and the government bonus can be used for a deposit for a first home in the UK worth up to £450,000 at any time from 12 months after first saving into the account. Alternately, the funds (including the bonus) may be withdrawn from the Lifetime ISA from age 60 tax-free, for any purpose. Lifetime ISA holders can access their savings if they become terminally ill. Savers will also be able to withdraw money before their 60th birthday for other purposes, but a 25% government charge will be applied to the amount of the withdrawal, together with a ‘small additional charge.’ New amounts contributed to a Lifetime ISA will count against an individual’s overall ISA limit for the year (£20,000 from April 2017), as well as the Lifetime ISA limit. An individual will only be able to pay into one Lifetime ISA each tax year, as

F

KLmagazine March 2017

well as a Cash ISA, a Stocks and Shares ISA and an Innovative Finance ISA. LIfetIme ISA verSuS HeLp-to-Buy ISA Individuals intending to use the savings to purchase a first home may want to consider whether it’s more beneficial to invest in a Lifetime ISA or a Helpto-Buy ISA, and the decision will largely depend on their individual circumstances. As a general point, the Lifetime ISA is intended as a long-term savings product, whereas the Helpto-Buy ISA is designed to be a short-term savings product and

OUR BRANCHES

WHAt ABout penSIonS? Some taxpayers in their 20s and 30s could opt to save into a Lifetime ISA rather than into a pension. However, for higher rate taxpayers the government top-up on pension contributions is effectively 67% – so after full tax relief, £6,000 of pension contributions provides an investment of £10,000. It’s also important to consider withdrawal rules. Individuals currently eligible for a Lifetime ISA will be able to take money from their pension at age 57 (the minimum pension access age applying from April 2028). However, they will need to wait until age 60 before withdrawing their money from a Lifetime ISA without losing the bonus, the accrued income associated with it, and without incurring a penalty. The biggest constraint of the Lifetime ISA will be the annual investment limit of £4,000. Those who can afford to contribute more than this may want to utilise their Lifetime ISA alongside making payments into a pension scheme. This can be a complex and confusing area, but that’s why we’re here to help. Putting tax-efficient planning steps into place now could help lay the foundations for a brighter and more secure future for you and your family. Please contact us at Stephenson Smart today for expert help and advice, a personal and professional service, and a free consultation that has your best interests at heart.

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Local Life

ABOVE: All bulldog puppies are adorable, but only a few will reach the dizzying heights of the winners’ podium at Crufts – a feat which has been enjoyed several times by the Ocoboo and Mystyle Kennels founded by the Davis family of Norman, Pat and Kevin (below)

Shouldham’s champions of the canine world... The Bulldog is a national icon, symbolising British pluck and determination, and one local family has successfully produced a series of champions over the years, as Sylvia Steele discovers

D

uring a frenzied five days later this month, some 20,000 dogs will be heading towards Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre for the most prestigious show in the dog breeders’ calendar. Billed ‘Cruft’s Greatest Dog Show’ when founded in 1891 by showman Charles Cruft, this worldfamous event is the epitome of a dog breeder’s work. As each day progresses, the decibels in the NEC will rival a pop concert – and there’ll be panic, excitement and even hysteria throughout the halls. However, once in the vast show ring, with maybe the occasional tic from a

KLmagazine March 2017

nervous handler, calm settles over the exhibits and, despite the buzz throughout the audience, training kicks in and the four-legged participants are ready to show to the best of their ability. Here, for a brief time, lies the success of a breeder’s work, their expertise, ambition, their life even. Norman Davis, the successful owner of Ocobo Kennels in Shouldham and a renowned breeder of bulldogs, describes what brought him to dog breeding and why he chose that most British of breeds. His love of dogs started during World War II, when he was evacuated from his London home to a country village in Kent.

37

Local Life

ABOVE: Kevin Davis with Ocobo Tully, who won 20 Championship Certificates, was Bulldog of the Year three times, and was Best of Breed at Cruft’s twice. Below is Kevin showing another champion from the Shouldham kennels – Candyman Can Mystyle.

“I used to play with my uncle’s Elkhounds in a place where there were no smoky city streets, barely any people and very few cars,” he says. “We had a black Labrador called Bunty who unexpectedly had a litter of puppies. I was enraptured. Sadly, Bunty was killed in a road accident before she could nurture the pups, and I took on rearing the litter on National Dried Milk – which was really meant for my twoyear-old sister!” Post-war life held new excitements for Norman, but his attention always returned to animals – and dog breeding in particular. “I bred from my cocker spaniel who produced three healthy litters,” he says, “and that only enforced my gut reaction that this was what I wanted to do.” But, having bred successfully from gun dogs, what brought about his change of heart? Why bulldogs? “My first choice had been a Harlequin Great Dane, which is a wonderful dog – but as I was new to the canine world, I overlooked the practicalities of owning a dog of that size,” he says. “However, it did focus attention on what my wife Pat and I wanted from a dog and what we could feasibly own in a small house with two children.” In 1968, Norman and Pat took their first steps into the breeding world of the British Bulldog. Breeding bulldogs and showing them around the country brought success but also new decisions. The couple were outgrowing

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their home and kennels on the outskirts of London, and in 1985 Ocobo Kennels moved to Norfolk. “Of the eight dogs we brought with us, six went on to become champions,” says Norman. “One of them was Skipper, who the first stud dog of any quality we owned.” Their success, however, is only half the story for, following in his father‘s footsteps, the couple’s son Kevin founded Mystyle Kennels with his wife Melanie in 1991 and added their own prefix Mystyle to the Ocobo Kennels’ name. “Growing up with parents in Ocobo Kennels meant that all my life was spent around dogs,” says Kevin. “From an early age I served an apprenticeship in all aspects of breeding and showing bulldogs until I became a successful junior handler.” Approved by the Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates, Kevin judged the Wales Bulldog of the Year Championship in 1998, and followed that with many international shows across Europe and also in the USA. In 2002, his father judged at Crufts and it’s anticipated that Kevin will soon follow suit. When asked about his greatest moment in working with bulldogs, Kevin doesn’t hesitate. “My success in the show ring was undoubtedly made up by the achievement of my first homebred bulldog– Mystyle Golden Wonder,” he says. But even this was eclipsed by his success in partnership with his parents’ Ocobo Kennels and the great champion bulldog Ocobo Tully. “He won twenty Championship

Certificates, was Bulldog of the Year three times and was even awarded Best of Breed at Crufts twice,” says Kevin. Part of the partnership’s success has been the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Accolade of Excellence Award, which was granted in 2015. As well as owning a team of stud dogs, Mystyle Ocobo Kennels is a successful boarding kennels; a sevendays a week job starting at 8.30am with kennel cleaning, followed by a 20minute walk for all dogs before settling down to the paperwork associated with stud arrangements, breeding, showing and judging. Bulldogs have been a prestigious breed in the UK since the 17th century until their popularity suffered a decline when bull-baiting became illegal in 1835. Once the breed became recognised by fanciers who bred them for looks and temperament, the bulldog made his first appearance in the show ring in 1860. Still popular today, these truly British dogs are known to make wonderful family pets as well as performing well in the show ring. Consolidating his own beliefs in the breed, Norman Davis became President of the British Bulldog Club – of which there are seventeen affiliated clubs throughout the UK. Now, on 10th March, all eyes will be on the Ocobo bitch puppy and her male sibling, two home-bred puppies, and Junior Bitch Ocobo Scrumptious as they show their mettle in the biggest arena in the dog world. But before they take off from Norfolk at around 5am for the journey to Birmingham, the preparation work continues. We wish them (of course) the best of British at Crufts 2017.

KLmagazine March 2017

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KLmagazine March 2017

Pets

AnimalMatters Our monthly look at the issues concerning you and your pets with Alex Dallas of the London Road Veterinary Centre...

Make your pet smile! O

ne of my colleagues came up to me last month and said, “Did you know February is pet dental health month?” I must admit I didn’t know, but it did set me to thinking about all the weird and wonderful pet dental problems I’ve encountered over the years! When I first started at London Road (many moons ago!) the practice was still a mixed practice, meaning I spent a lot of my time visiting farms, stables and livestock in the area. One of the commonest dental procedures I performed on visits such as these was the rasping of horse’s teeth. Horses teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime and need regular rasping to prevent any sharp edges developing and causing problems. My claim to fame is that I once visited the stables of the Grand National winning jockey, Bob Champion, to rasp some of his racehorse’s teeth! Getting too close to the teeth of large animals can come with it’s problems though, and I was

once actually bitten by a particularly annoyed cow! These days I can be found getting up close and personal with the teeth of much smaller animals, the smallest of which was a degu I saw recently. She presented to us with difficulty eating and once we had sedated her we could get a good look inside her mouth. We were able to carry out the delicate task of burring her incisors and trimming a couple of spurs off her molars, and I’m pleased to report that she is happily back to normal now. Dentistry is a very important component of veterinary care for all animals, which is why at your pet’s annual booster vaccination appointment we will examine their teeth and gums as part of their health check. We may recommend your pet come in to see us to be anaesthetised for a dental procedure, as often when they are awake what we can see of their mouths is only the tip of the iceberg! One of the main concerns

people often have about this is the age of their pet and whether they will safely cope with being anaesthetised. Nowadays veterinary anaesthesia is very safe and I have even performed dentistry on cats as old as 21, who have gone on to lead much more comfortable lives. It’s amazing the difference a dental scale and polish can make to the welfare of pets. Animals are very good at masking signs of discomfort but I regularly see clients return after their pet’s dental procedure who tell me their dog or cat is happily playing away like a puppy or kitten again, and chomping away at food they’d taken to avoiding. Now I wonder if this will be the week I get to fulfil my life’s ambition of examining a hen’s teeth…

London Road Vets

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LONDON ROAD 25 London Road, King’s Lynn telephone: 01553 773168 e-mail: info@lrvc.co.uk HOLLIES Paradise Road, Downham Market telephone: 01366 386655 e-mail: info@holliesvetclinic.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2017

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West Norfolk: Then and Now

1910

2017

FAREWELL TO THE SHAMBLES... The image aat the top of the page was found in a guidebook to Lincolnshire (why not Norfolk?) by Mark Holland of King’s Lynn, and shows just how much the Saturday Market Place in King’s Lynn has seen over the last 100 years. Although the north side of The Minster

is now clear, it was once fronted by the famous ‘Shambles’ – which were finally demolished shortly after the original image was taken. You can enjoy thousands of images of Norfolk’s history on the website at www.picture.norfolk.gov.uk or by visiting the Norfolk Heritage Centre at

the Millennium Library, The Forum, Norwich (or your local studies library). We’ll be taking another look back in time at the local area next month. IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Enjoy thousands of images of Norfolk’s unique history at www.picture.norfolk.gov.uk 42

KLmagazine March 2017

OVER 25 YEARS OF FIRST CLASS MOTOR SERVICING

At last, it’s time to enjoy having your car serviced Have your car serviced with confidence with K Brown Auto Repairs hen Keith and Tamsin Brown launched K Brown Auto Repairs back in the 1990s, they wanted their new business to offer local motorists the best of both worlds – outstanding levels of technical expertise and superb standards of work together with a familyfriendly and totally transparent approach to car servicing. “'Before we started the business, and despite the fact my husband has always serviced our cars, I often felt slightly intimidated if I went into a garage or indeed any male orientated environment,” says Tamsin. “It can be a very daunting experience, especially for women and older motorists. That’s what we wanted to change.” Change it they certainly did, and there’s a good reason why several customers (and their families) have been taking their cars to K Brown Auto Repairs for over 25

W

KLmagazine March 2017

years now. From the welcoming reception staff to the personable and friendly mechanics themselves, K Brown Auto Repairs gives you the confidence to talk about your car and the reassurance that it’s in very good hands indeed. Moreover, K Brown Auto Repairs is always totally open, honest and transparent when it comes to bills and prices – from the start you’ll know exactly what will happen to your car and exactly what you’ll be paying for it. And if anything unexpected does crop up, you’ll be the first to know – before any work commences. “We’re not here to sell you anything,” says Tamsin. “We’re here to service your car and stop you worrying about it. Our customers return because they want to, not because they’ve received a flyer or an e-mail. Sometimes they just pop in for a cup of tea and a bulb!”

From simple MOTs, servicing and repairs to complex diagnosis and code reading, your car is always in safe and experienced hands with the friendly team at K Brown Auto Repairs. In fact, you may well find yourself wishing your car needed a service more often!

information

K Brown Auto Repairs Simon Scotland Road, Hardwick Industrial Estate, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4JF tel: 01553 763763 web: www.kbrownautoskingslynn.co.uk

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PICTURES: MOLA

History

ABOVE: An aerial view of the site at Great Ryburgh, where archaeologists have discovered a series of incredibly well-preserved graves of some of the earliest Christians in the UK – the discovery is still producing surprises and deepening our understanding of early Britain.

Unearthing the secrets of Anglo-Saxon Norfolk When Gary Boyce started developing some of his land near Fakenham, he had little idea it would lead to one of the most remarkable discoveries of recent years. Richard Parr investigates...

T

he Norfolk village of Great Ryburgh near Fakenham made international headlines last year, when archaeologists discovered dozens of extremely rare treetrunk coffins at a previously unknown cemetery of a community of AngloSaxon Christians. The Historic England excavation was carried out in advance of the construction of a leisure fishing lake and flood defence system on land owned by Gary Boyce, and the remarkable preservation of the finds has taken everyone familiar with the waterlogged conditions of the river

KLmagazine March 2017

valley by surprise – the organisation’s Chief Executive Duncan Wilson describing it as a “very significant discovery.” The find was all the more exciting for archaeologists because Anglo-Saxon coffins rarely survive because the wood decays with the passage of time. “The combination of acidic sand and alkaline water created the perfect conditions for the skeletons and wooden graves to survive,” says James Fairclough, lead archaeologist with the Museum of London Archaeology team on the excavation. “ It’s an extraordinary discovery and it’s already revealed remarkable details of Christian Anglo-

Saxon practices.” The amazing discovery came to light after landowner Gary Boyce asked archaeologist Matt Champion to install some trial trenches ahead of his planning application for the lake and flood defence system. These revealed ‘high status’ Roman samian ware and Anglo-Saxon pottery. Matt said the find was all the more remarkable because before the initial dig began, all the evidence suggested the field had never been developed. A full six-month excavation was then carried out, and within the first hour of work starting the first of no less than 81 human burials were uncovered.

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History

ABOVE: A reconstruction of one of the treetrunk coffins with its lid from a typical early Anglo-Saxon grave by Judith Dobie of Historic England. Below are two members of the Museum of London Archaeology team painstakingly documenting the burials at Great Ryburgh.

Historic England revealed that other important finds included six very rare plank-lined graves believed to be the earliest-known examples in Britain and evidence of a timber structure believed to have been a church. It is thought the burials date from beteen the 7th-9th cenruries AD and were the final resting place of a community of early Christians – the wooden grave markers, east-west alignment of the coffins and evident lack of grave goods all supporting the theory. The 81 dug-out coffins discovered comprise oak trees split lengthways and hollowed out. This type of coffin was first seen in Europe in the early Bronze Age and later reappeared in the early medieval period. In Britain they are mentioned in antiquarian records from the late 19th century, but this is believed to the first time they’ve been properly excavated and recorded by contemporary archaeologists. The deceased were positioned in the lower half of the hollowed-out trunks, the upper half resting on top to form a lid. Although the coffins are not decorative, it would have taken considerable effort to hollow out a single coffin, a task currently estimated at taking up to four working days. Evidence for similar burial sites is also found in earlier cemeteries, and this may signify the blending of pagan and Christian traditions. The six plank-lined graves are equally rare in this country, and those discovered at Great Ryburgh site are believed to be the earliest-known examples from Britain. The graves were cut into the ground and lined with expertly-hewn timber planks before the body was placed inside and more planks were positioned on top to form a cover.

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The relationship between the two burial types is not yet fully understood, but may it may be a unique charting of an evolution in burial practices. “These rare and exceptionally wellpreserved graves are a truly significant discovery,” says Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England. “They’ll certainly advance our understanding of Middle Saxon religious beliefs and rural communities.” He pointed out that the rare cemetery has been revealed because, under current planning regulations, archaeological surveys are required before work can start on what are regarded as sensitive sites. Following complete analysis and

preservation work, the finds from the site will find a permanent home at Norwich Castle Museum. “This site at Great Ryburgh was in use in the heyday of the Anglo Saxon kingdom of East Anglia and was positioned next to a strategic river crossing,” sasy museum curator Tim Pestell. “As with much of East Anglia at this early date, we have very few documentary sources that relate to this site, so it’s finds like this that are crucial in helping us to understand the development of the kingdom.” Tim also said the Great Ryburgh finds are dramatic examples of how new evidence is helping refine our knowledge of this fascinating period when Christianity and the Church were still developing on the ground. “Detailed analysis of the cemetery provides the hope of a better understanding the actual people living according to this new religion,” he says. “This discovery is shedding new light on a previously unknown religious site and early Christian rural community.” Continued research and various forms of scientific testing will help to develop biographies of the people buried at the site. It’s certainly not the end of the story and, in due course, when the detailed analysis and research is complete, archaeologists hope to be able to say more about where these people came from, whether they were related, and also perhaps what their diet and health was like.

KLmagazine March 2017

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KLmagazine March 2017

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local craftsmen producing facing stones for renovation work, FRIMSTONE also crushes and screens carrstone to produce a high quality and versatile ‘clean’ or ‘down’ construction aggregate. While the ‘clean’ material is a good bulk fill material strong enough to keep footings open (with water draining into the voids), the ‘down’ carrstone compacts extremely well and is ideal for providing a sound foundation or base layer for a floor or path. If you’re looking for a cost-effective, high performing and very local material for your next project, contact FRIMSTONE today for more information and all the help and advice you need –from choosing the right aggregate to ordering the correct amount.

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KLmagazine March 2017

Give your driveway the facelift it’s waiting for! Enjoy a complete professional service from start to finish with WN Surfacing t doesn’t matter the size of your property or the length of your drives and pathways, it’s far to say that King’s Lynn based WN Surfacing has it covered. For more than 20 years, the company has worked on everything from newbuild developments to grade listed buildings, from renovation projects to stately homes – with a comprehensive range of services including asphalt replacement, surface dressing, block paving, patios, and home sports surfaces. If your drive is over 20 years old it could well do with a professional facelift – and if you’re currently building your own home, an expertly designed and installed driveway adds the perfect finishing touch. With a choice of decorative finishes including coloured asphalt and resinbonded (and resin-bound) stone, Richard Moore and his highly trained and fully accredited team can design an eyecatching, hardwearing, cost-

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KLmagazine March 2017

effective and practical solution that meets (and usually exceeds) your expectations. “We really do offer a complete service from start to finish,” says Richard. “We’ll help design the drive in line with current regulations and drainage requirements and we’ll even take away the old tarmac for recycling. A new driveway isn’t as major a job people often think either – in fact it usually only takes around three days!” Richard and his team has always prided itself on providing an unrivalled aftercare and support service, and WN Surfacing ensures every site and every property is left in as good (and usually better!) a condition than it was when work started. For high quality surfaces of all types, for all purposes and all properties – together with and a professional service that’s second to none – contact WN Surfacing today for a free initial visit and a no-obligation survey.

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How ECOnomy Windows can give your conservatory a new lease of life Enjoy the multiple benefits of a new glass conservatory roof from ECOnomy Windows – with no deposit and a first-class service!

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ith spring around the corner, most of us will be looking forward to making the most of our conservatories – but many people will be missing out on their maximum benefits and worth, thanks to their existing polycarbonate roof. For almost 30 years, ECOnomy Windows has been leading the field in high quality window and conservatory solutions, and the company can replace your polycarbonate conservatory roof with a fully-engineered glass roof that gives your conservatory a whole new lease of life. To date ECOnomy Windows has undertaken over 20,000 local

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installations, and every project has received a genuine commitment to customer service, a reputation for very high standards of workmanship, and an unrivalled approach to exceeding customer expectations. Although you may have lived with your polycarbonate conservatory roof for some time quite happily, replacing it with a glass roof from ECOnomy Windows has many benefits – and will ensure you use and enjoy your conservatory to the full: 1. COOLER IN SUMMER When the sun is shining, a polycarbonate roof can make your conservatory

unbearably hot. ECOnomy Windows’ high-performing and high quality glass reflects up to 78% of the sun’s energy, which means your conservatory will be beautifully bright as well as comfortably warm. Its highly-advanced properties mean it can also cut glare from the sun by up to 68%. 2. WARMER IN WINTER Polycarbonate roofs are not particularly good at retaining heat, which can make your conservatory pretty much off limits for much of the year. ECOnomy Windows’ glass has typical U-values of 1.0W/m2K - which provides better insulation than many walls. It means

you’ll be able to enjoy your conservatory in the coldest of weather. 3. REDUCED NOISE Watching the rain from the comfort of your conservatory can be very enjoyable, but polycarbonate roofs have limited sound insulation, which can make your conservatory (and even the rooms around it) uncomfortably loud. With a new glass roof from ECOnomy Windows, you can reduce the sound of rain, traffic and unruly neighbours by up to 50%. 4. NO LEAKS A glass conservatory roof from ECOnomy Windows will never leak or cause draughts. Due to its composition, polycarbonate will naturally warp over time, which can let in both wind and rain. Thanks to ECOnomy Windows’ toughened safety glass, your conservatory can be warm and leak-free all year round for many years to come. And because glass (unlike polycarbonate) won’t become brittle after exposure to extreme UV rays, a new glass roof from ECOnomy Windows can extend the life of your conservatory. 6. EASIER MAINTENANCE Although a polycarbonate roof will look fine at first, it will deteriorate over time

and it can be very difficult to keep clean and attractive. With a glass roof from ECOnomy Windows you have the option of Pilkington self-cleaning glass, which is much easier to maintain and will never lose its fabulous looks. 7. BETTER LOOKS There’s no doubt that glass is more aesthetically pleasing than polycarbonate, but ECOnomy Windows can give your conservatory a whole new dimension with the addition of colourtinted glass. While clear glass offers a more natural look, the use of blue, bronze or green tinted glass can add a subtle and extremely effective touch to your conservatory.

The company’s own PAYE installation teams have an outstanding reputation for first-class work, from the care they take with your home to their attention to detail – and an insurance-backed guarantee will give you extra peace of mind for many years to come. For a closer look at how you and your conservatory can benefit from a new glass roof, contact ECOnomy Windows now for full details and a free survey – and with a turnaround of only a few days, you could soon be making full use of your conservatory for the rest of year!

In addition to the multiple benefits of a glass conservatory roof from ECOnomy Windows, you can enjoy the service of a company that’s always put customer care at the top of the list. You can look forward to no high pressure sales techniques and you’ll never be asked for a deposit – only paying when your new conservatory roof is fitted.

CONSERVATORY SHOW PARK OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK! Elm High Road, Wisbech, Cambs PE14 0DG Tel: 01945 588988 / 01553 777088 Web: www.economy-windows.co.uk E-mail: mail@economy-windows.co.uk

NO DEPOSIT! YOU ONLY PAY ON INSTALLATION!

fashion Fashion

Rather fittingly since spring is almost upon us, the fashion world has declared the colour of the year to be green, so here are some inspirational and fresh ideas from the best of our local boutiques offering a range of verdant variations. From formal events to relaxing and enjoying the great ideas, it’s enough to make you green with envy! 54

Denim Flower Dress by Pomodoro ALLEZ CHIC | Castle Rising 01553 631915 KLmagazine March 2017

Casual Fashion, Cruise Wear & Mother of the Bride

Cindyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Sutton Bridge

S i ze s 1 0 - 2 6 | O pe n in g ti m es 9a m - 5p m C l os ed We d n e sd a ys & S un d a y s T el : 01 40 6 35 09 6 1

Dress by Frank Lyman CINDYS | Sutton Bridge 01406 350961 KLmagazine March 2017

ww w.c ind ysfas hion s.c o.uk

1 0 8 B r i d g e R oa d , S ut t o n B r i d g e P E 1 2 9 SA 55

Fashion

The Nessa Jacket by Horseware Ireland THE HAYLOFT at BEARTS | Stowbridge 01366 388151 56

KLmagazine March 2017

Adult Superstore

bñÅÉÉÇáåÖ=óçìê= XXXPECTATIONS

Lings Country Goods for all your country pursuits

Wide range of top brand country clothing • BARBOUR • DUBARRY • MUSTO • SCHÖFFEL • LE CHAMEAU • TOGGI • HUCKLECOTE • SEELAND • WRENDALE • PAMPEANO Also stocking guns, ammunition & shooting accessories

Morton ATV

Unit 2 Beveridge Way, Hardwick Narrows, King’s Lynn, PE30 4NB OPEN: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

www.adult-warehouse.net | Tel: 01553 776242

KLmagazine March 2017

all terrain and utility terrain vehicles Heath Farm, Great Massingham PE32 2HJ www.lingscountrygoods.co.uk www.mortonatv.com | Tel: 01485 520828

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Fashion

Khaki Parka (£78) and Metallic Printed Dress (£32) from Next QUEENSGATE SHOPPING CENTRE | Peterborough 01733 311666 58

KLmagazine March 2017

Pl en ty o f Sty le s fo r

Sp r in g Charity Fashion Shows 16th March Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn Golf Club 29th March George Hotel, Swaffham 6th April Bankhouse, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn Please enquire

www.allezchic.co.uk t: 01553 631915 Open: Mon to Sat 10am-4.30pm The Old School, Castle Rising, King's Lynn PE31 6AG

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve expanded! Welcoming new patients for a wide range of treatments Our new expansion means we can provide an even better service to our patients, including more dental and hygienist appointments and our variety of cosmetic treatments and therapies will continue to offer the very best and latest products. â&#x20AC;¢ Short term adult orthodontics â&#x20AC;¢ Teeth whitening â&#x20AC;¢ White fillings â&#x20AC;¢ Porcelain veneers and crowns available â&#x20AC;¢ Help with financing your treatment with Denplan â&#x20AC;¢ Non-surgical cosmetic filler injections administered by our skilled medical professionals

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KLmagazine March 2017

â&#x20AC;¢ Acupuncture â&#x20AC;¢ Snoring Appliances â&#x20AC;¢ Hypnosis

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PARTNER Miss Kinga Maciejewska Lek Stom Warsaw 2004 GDC 139876

Email: info@castlerisingdentist.co.uk

www.castlerisingdentist.co.uk 59

Fashion

Burley Fleece in Fern by Schoffel (£169.95) LINGS COUNTRY GOODS | Great Massingham 01485 520828 60

KLmagazine March 2017

The Fent Shop By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Purveyor of Dress Fabrics and Haberdashery P.F.Day & Son King’s Lynn

R YOU H AV I N G TROUBLE R E A D I N G

THIS ADVERT

Largest selection of fabrics in West & North Norfolk

Dress Fabrics Curtain Fabrics Craft Fabrics Net Curtains Knitting Wool Haberdashery

41 Broad Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1DP

T: 01553 768613 | W: www.thefentshopkingslynn.co.uk KLmagazine March 2017

T H E N

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Book your appointment today.

D.A. Seaman Optometrists

Tel 01760 722661 | www.daseaman.org.uk 18 Plowright Place, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7LQ 61

STOVES • GRANITE WORKTOPS • FIREPLACES STOM-MADE GREAT QUALITY STOVES CU UNIQUE LOOK TO GIVE YOUR HOME THAT

Visit the largest stove showroom in King’s Lynn

KR FIREPLACES Home is where the heat is

Austin Fields, King’s Lynn, PE30 1PH tel: 01553 772564 w: www.krfireplaces.co.uk

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KLmagazine March 2017

Metric Carpets

THE BEST OF BRITISH – FOR OVER 40 YEARS!

Bright colours and designs – and a few shades darker! Enjoy the perfect new look for spring with the help of Metric Carpets he colour grey (in all its various shades) isn’t just making an impact on our cinema screens at the moment; it’s also the current ontrend choice for carpets and flooring. But if you’re thinking of giving your home a bright new look for spring, grey isn’t as dull as it might sound. “Grey might not seem like the most appealing colour in the world, but you’d be surprised,” says Alistair Allen of Metric Carpets in King's Lynn – who’s been fitting carpets locally for over 30 years. “Shades of charcoal and silver, contrasting tiles, and grey whitewashed woods... they’re all really popular, and they look fabulous!” However, if you’re looking for something a little more vibrant Alistair’s showroom is packed with 1000s of colours and patterns from some of the best-known names in the carpet and flooring worlds – so it’s no wonder people often spend hours going through all the choices.

T

KLmagazine March 2017

“We’re always happy to spend time helping people find the perfect carpet,” says Alistair, “but we always encourage them to take samples home. The lights in our showroom are very different from the lights you have in your house, and that’s the only way to really see how a carpet’s going to look at home.” Always willing to go the extra mile, Alistair will even source samples of the current colour run direct from the manufacturer to ensure it matches your decor to perfection. “Because you’re dealing with a natural product, you can’t guarantee the carpet you’ll receive is exactly the same as the sample – which may be a year or so old,” he says. “A professionally fitted, high quality carpet will last for many years, so we do everything we can to make sure you’ll still be happy with it in the future.” At Metric Carpets, all Alistair’s fitters work for the company and share the company’s belief in providing a service

that matches (and often exceeds) the quality of the carpets themselves. They’re fully qualified and have all the necessary suppliers’ certifications, and they’ll even take your old carpets away with them. With many years of independent experience, a level of customer service that’s unequalled, and all the help and advice you’ll ever need, contact Metric Carpets today for a beautifully fresh new look for spring.

information

36 Norfolk Street, King’s Lynn PE30 1AH Tel: 01553 775203 Web: www.metriccarpets.co.uk E-mail: info@metriccarpets.co.uk

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Food & Drink

ABOVE: A mould for sweet delicacies in the kitchen of Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, where Katherine Windham (pictured below in a 1669 portrait by Peter Lely) collected 400 recipes and household remedies, treating guests to the hall’s lavish dining room (opposite) to treats such as boilded calve’s heads and blood-stewed carp.

Cooking up a Norfolk treat in the 18th century She was the mistress of a stately home in Norfolk for almost 40 years and gave birth to 12 children, but Katherine Windham still found time to write a recipe book, as Richard Parr discovers...

I

t’s possible that cookery has never been more popular, with a huge variety of television shows devoted to producing savoury and sweet dishes, a growing number of chefs publishing their own recipe books, and programmes such as The Great British Bake Off making the national news headlines. This is, however, nothing new. Back in the 18th century, at the beautiful country house of Felbrigg Hall in north Norfolk, newly-wed Katherine Windham began collecting together some 400 recipes and household remedies. By the time the collection, entitled A Booke of Cookery & Housekeeping was

KLmagazine March 2017

finally collated in 1707, Katherine had been a widow for 18 years and the mistress of Felbrigg for almost four decades. Of course, a woman in Katherine’s position would have done little or no cooking herself, but as the mistress of the house, it was certainly her duty to direct the cook and supervise the overall domestic running of the house. Katherine’s volume is an expensively produced book, measuring 32cm x 20cm, it’s bound in thick cardboard covered in plain vellum with ribbon stitching, and apart from its precarious spine, is in excellent condition considering its age Even more so when you consider the book’s original cover

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Food & Drink

ABOVE: Food historian Ivan Day at Felbrigg Hall with National Trust volunteer Bonnie Lovelock, who spent six months transcribing some 400 recipes written by Katherine Windham over 300 years ago. Pictured below is the hall’s kitchen today.

and pages carry characteristic kitchen stains and smudges that demonstrate it was well used. With only two exceptions, all entries in the volume are in Katherine’s distinctive hand, and the work must have taken a considerable amount of time to produce. On the inside cover is an intriguing pencil-drawn plan of what may well have been the kitchen wing at Felbrigg Hall – which was built at Felbrigg in the early 1700s and contains a remarkable mid-18th century stewing stove to this day. National Trust volunteer Bonnie Lovelock – who spent six months transcribing the recipes – believes Katherine hoped her cookery book would be of value to future mistress of Felbrigg and would assist them in running the household. Although some of the recipes appear rather revolting compared to modern tastes (artificial sturgeon made from ‘boyled calve’s head’ and ‘carp stewed in blood’) others are much more appealing – such as chocolate-covered nuts and currant cake. The volume even contains the earliest-known recipe for Bourbon biscuits, some 200 years before they were produced commercially. In addition to collecting food recipes, Katherine included details of country wines and the process of beer making. Even in the countryside, beer was a common daily necessity rather than the perils of the frequently contaminated water. Some of Katherine’s household remedies are both amusing and alarming – including the prevention of

66

bed bugs by placing broken cucumbers around the bed and rubbing your face with lemon juice! She also writes of the use of copious amounts of boiled slugs and worms to alleviate horse ailments. Although the book is now kept at the Norfolk Records Office in Norwich, it did return to Felbrigg Hall for a temporary visit last year, when it was examined by historian Ivan Day, widely acknowledged as the leading expert on historic cookery in Britain. “The book offers the social historian a valuable insight into the domestic life of Felbrigg and other large Norfolk households,” he said. “Katherine’s recipes appear to be largely original, and it’s clear that she was a woman of considerable status and flair.” As for National Trust volunteer Bonnie Lovelock, transcribing Katherine’s book became a real labour of love as she was gradually immersed in the use of culinary terms and methods from the 18th century – learning that “let it

simper” was the Norfolk term for “simmer.” “It was hard to decipher Katherine’s handwriting occassionally,” says Bonnie, “but gradually the task of transcribing 400 cookery and household “receipts” more than three hundred years old became very satisfying and a real passion.” She also found herself growing closer to the former mistress of Felbrigg Hall. “During the time I worked on the book, I felt Katherine experienced real pleasure in recording these special recipes for her own use and to entertain her guests,” she says. “I knew instinctively that the book was special and that Katherine treasured it. I feel very privileged to have experienced this connection with Katherine and her world.” While typing the transcipt, Bonnie became keenly aware of Katherine’s achievement. “Her alphabetic index alone is impressive as she carefully listed each recipe and page number,” she says. “For 38 years she remained dedicated to collecting and writing her recipes in her book. Daylight hours were often short so Katherine would have needed to write by candlelight – and yet there are few crossings out or errors.” Remarkably, during her 20-year marriage to her “beloved husband” Katherine gave birth to 12 children – in whom she took obvious pride. The book contains a recipe “to make my son’s rice pudding” and “my daughter Ann Windham’s excellent way for pickle bacon.” Indeed, many of Katherine’s recipes were attributed to family, friends and neighbours. “I’m really proud to have worked on her book and I have a strong feeling of knowing Katherine herself, albeit at the distance of 300 hundred years,” says Bonnie. “I know Katherine would be delighted with the idea her book lives on and has been appreciated by so many people in the 21st century.”

KLmagazine March 2017

CARPETS

STONE FLOORS UPHOLSTERY

Extra professional spring cleaning – with Xtraclean! Enjoy a fresh new look with the extra-local and extra-friendly cleaning service

W

e all look forward to giving our homes a bright new look to welcome in the spring, but it’s inevitable that eventually your best cleaning efforts simply won’t be good enough to free your floors, carpets and upholstery from years of daily use and restore them to that ‘as new’ condition. “That’s when people are often tempted to hire cleaning equipment for themselves,” says Xtraclean’s Martin King. “But without an understanding of how different fabrics and surfaces react to cleaning and without any technical experience, it can be a risky venture – and the results can be very upsetting and extremely costly.” Martin founded Xtraclean 22 years ago, and the Swaffham-based company are true experts in cleaning carpets, upholstery and stone floors.

Their professional and friendly service covers East Anglia with a team of highly skilled, highly trained and highly knowledgeable technicians dedicated to keeping your home looking its very best. Indeed, Xtraclean’s truck-mounted cleaning system (which uses its own water supply) enables it to offer one of the most up-to-date and effective services in the whole country. “One of the most important steps in the whole process takes place before we even start cleaning,” explains Martin. “We thoroughly check and examine the condition of all surfaces to ensure they’re treated with the correct products at the right temperatures – and if they need any pre-cleaning treatment.” By using professional products

specially developed for specific materials, Xtraclean leaves you with a home that’s perfectly safe for children and animals – and the optional addition of special protection can keep mould, mildew and harmful bacterias to a minimum for even longer. “Applying a protector or sealant increases the life expectancy of furnishings and floors,” says Martin, “but if people decide against having their carpets and floors protected, we’ll still give them expert advice on post-cleaning care.” For an extra reliable, extra professional and extra friendly service that’s also fully-insured, Xtraclean is the obvious answer to your cleaning needs. Contact Martin and his local-based team today and give your home the look it deserves this spring!

Xtraclean Unit 3, Jack Boddy Way, Swaffham PE37 7HJ Tel: 01760 337762 Web: www.xtraclean.co.uk E-mail: sales@xtraclean.co.uk

KLmagazine March 2017

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S

Knights Hill Hotel & Spa Treat yourself and friends to

Afternoon Tea Monday – Saturday 12 noon - 5.30pm Sunday 3.00pm - 5.30pm

£12.95 per person Served in the lounge or on our patio in fine weather

So muchier more muchness... Step into the unique vintage atmosphere of the Folly Tearoom and Magical Garden to savour ‘Tealightful’ treats served from breakfast through to early evening bites; all homemade with a large measure of love and magic; ‘Curiosi-teas’ in vintage china or a glass of something special, plus so much muchier more to try for yourself.

Hoppers Yard, Bull Street, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6LN WWW.FOLLYTEAROOM.CO.UK

the FOLLY SELECTED TEAS, CADDY’S AND TEA Cosies

enjoy the vintage splendour

South Wootton, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 3HQ T: 01553 675566 E: reception@knightshill.co.uk

Please visit our website www.knightshill.co.uk

A charming way to spend Enjoy a bite to eat in o

ur pretty v i

Breakfast (Served 9-11.30am)

the day

ntage-style tearooms

Light Lunches & Hearty Mains • Beef or Cheese Burger with Chips & Salad • Lasagne & Chips or Salad • Ham, Egg & Chips Jacket Potatoes, Salads & Sandwiches • Fish or Scampi, Chips & Peas • Jacket potato served with a choice of fillings. • Omelette & Salad or Chips • Sandwiches, baguettes and toasties freshly made To see our full menu visit us in store to order with a choice of fillings served with or online: www.charmedtearooms.co.uk crisps, coleslaw and salad garnish. • A choice of salads served with fresh baguette. • Full English • Sausage Sandwich • Bacon & Egg Bap • Toasted Teacake • Eggs, Beans or Cheese on Toast

Also a c hoice of coffee, cakes and cream teas!

T he Hyth e, Brid ge Ro ad , Dow nha m Ma rket PE38 0A E www.c h a rm ed -in terior s.c o. uk | 01366 384126 | 9 - 5 Mo n to S at | F ree Pa rking 68

KLmagazine March 2017

Food & Drink

Double Chocolate Cookies INGREDIENTS 50g butter (plus extra for greasing) 200g good quality dark chocolate (minimum 50% cocoa solids) 397g can of condensed milk 225g self-raising flour 65g milk chocolate or white chocolate buttons

METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 180°c/Gas Mark 4 and lightly grease 3 baking trays.

2 Break up the dark chocolate into squares and gently melt it, along with the butter. This needs to be done in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir occasionally. 3 Stir in the condensed milk and leave to cool. 4 Mix in the flour and the chocolate buttons and then chill the mixture in

the fridge until it is firm enough to handle. 5 Place large teaspoonfuls of the mixture (spaced well apart) onto the baking trays. 6 Bake for approx 12-15 minutes. The cookies should still look soft. Do not overcook as they will become very hard! 7 Carefully remove them from the baking trays with a palette knife and cool on a wire rack

Recipe by Church Farm Tea Room Stow Bardolph, Downham Market PE34 3HT Tel: 01366 382162 Web: www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk KLmagazine March 2017

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SUNDAY CARVERIES

Every Sunday 12no on-6pm TWO COURSES JUST £9.99 Help yourself to soup for starters followed by our Sunday carvery buffet. Choose from roast turkey crown, roast gammon, roast topside of beef or vegetable wellington. Accompanied by a great selection of sides and help yourself to as much as you like of them!

Selected desserts just £2!

Contact us for more details

Clenchwarton Road, West Lynn King’s Lynn PE34 3LW Web: brewersfayre.co.uk

Tel: 01553 772221 70

KLmagazine March 2017

Food & Drink

Pan-fried Gnocchi with a simple tomato sauce Serves: 2 Preparation: 5 minutes Cooking: 20 minutes INGREDIENTS 1lb assorted tomatoes, 2-3 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped A pinch of red chilli flakes A generous glug of olive oil About 10oz Gnocchi 1tbspn butter Parmesan shavings A few leaves of torn basil

KLmagazine March 2017

METHOD 1 Roughly chop the tomatoes into pieces about ½-inch thick, but don’t overthink it as they’ll break down as you cook. 2 Cook the sauce in a wide pan so you have plenty of surface area for evaporation. Heat the oil over a medium heat and add the garlic. Let it sizzle for a few minutes, then add the tomatoes and chilli. Season with a good pinch of salt and let it bubble away. 3 Over the next 10-15 minutes you’ll see the sauce transform as the tomatoes give up their water and start to break down. The longer you leave it, the thicker and sweeter it gets. About 15 minutes will be right, but it’s difficult to mess this sauce up by cooking it too long. When ready, remember to scrape down the sides of the pan where the rich tomato flavour

hangs out as the liquid evaporates. 4 The gnocchi will take about 5-7 minutes, so when the sauce is starting to thicken, melt the butter in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add a dash of olive oil to prevent the butter burning, put the gnocchi in the pan and let them sizzle away, turning after a couple of minutes to brown the other side. NOTES: To serve, put the sauce on the plate first, then drop the gnocchi on top – it helps them keep their crispy outside for longer. Top with a little shaved parmesan, some torn basil leaves and plenty of fresh black pepper. If you fancy some meat, use pancetta or bacon. Cook it over a really low heat to render out the fat and then add the gnocchi to the flavourful fat! As for wine, go for a light Italian red to balance the tomatoes. 71

Now taking orders for Easter!

rd Winning Inn Swaffham’s Double Awa seaf

oodwe

ek.co.uk

Tasty fish that’s perfect for a healthy Mother’s Day meal Fresh Brancaster mussels Local oysters & shellfish Jumbo raw prawns Wide range of fresh and smoked fish Free range eggs & local honey

Plus! Deli counter with quality local cheeses

D NALDS NS

C al l t o Book 01760 723 244 We are a lovely 17th century Coaching Inn serving local, seasonal and fresh food in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Copper Horse

Pub Menu

Our fabulous cocktail bar and relaxed fine dining restaurant. Open Fri and Sat evenings.

Back in March – Gourmet Burger Wednesdays and Tapas nights.

A fresh taste of the sea

Austin Fields, King’s Lynn | Tel: 01553 772241 OPEN: Tues/Wed/Thurs 7am-4pm, Fri 7am-5pm, Sat 7am-3pm

THE

F E AT H E R S COME OUT INTO THE COUNTRY... on the outskirts of the Royal Sandringham Estate

21 Market Place, Swaffham PE37 7LA www.kingsarmscoachinginn.co.uk

THAI ROYALE KIN G’S LYN N Traditional Thai Restaurant & Takeaway Gluten-free & vegetarian dishes available Free delivery within 3 miles (minimum order £15)

Now taking lunch bookings for Mother’s Day Sunday 26th March

Relax and unwind with fine food and drink in a cosy country pub

New menu & New specials

10% discount on collected orders

Reservations & takeaway orders: 01553 760299 Open: Tue to Sun 5pm-10pm

Bar • Pub • Restaurant • Gardens Accommodation • Function Room 71 Manor Rd, Dersingham PE31 6LN Tel: 01485 540768 | www.feathersdersingham.com

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77 LYNN ROAD, GAYWOOD, KING’S LYNN PE30 4PR KLmagazine March 2017

Food & Drink

RestaurantReview

A KL magazine reader visits Titchwell Manor for an evening of outstandingly creative food...

A

stone’s throw from the stunning north Norfolk coast, Titchwell Manor is a beautiful country retreat; a former Victorian farmhouse with 27 boutique bedrooms, a chic contemporary atmosphere, and a first-class reputation for fine dining. That reputation has been built by celebrated chef and owner Eric Snaith (who picked up a Chef of the Year award in 2012) and a kitchen team that included Head Chef Chris Mann – who won the same award in 2015. Eric’s flair for flavours, his passion for local ingredients, and his cutting-edge techniques have won the restaurant three AA Rosettes; an hugely impressive achievement for a chef whose abilities are entirely self-taught. It’s a lovely setting, and while initial impressions suggest a degree of formality and exclusiveness, the genuine friendliness of the staff who welcomed us and showed us to our table helped us feel at home immediately. It’s relaxed, it’s comfortable, and our waitress was more than happy to explain some of the finer details of the mouthwatering menu. For starters I ordered the charred mackerel with apple vinegar, dry dill, and turnip. Delicately brined and seared with a blowtorch, the mackerel was delicious and was accompanied by a fresh and crunchy garnish that managed a very nice balance of acidity. This attention to making the most of local KLmagazine March 2017

flavours was also enjoyed by my partner who ordered the Brancaster mussels, which were outstanding. Although they were cooked ‘simply’ with braised shallots, garlic, thyme, plenty of butter and a dash of lemon, there was nothing simple about the superb taste. In fact, it was a lesson in how to cook mussels properly! For mains I chose the Norfolk Quail, another great local product that the kitchen worked wonders with, combining a poachroasted crown and confit leg together with chervil, puy lentils and bergamot. It was fabulously rich, the lentils being cooked in quail stock (great idea!) and the mildlysweet chervil root being baked in a lovely brown butter. It was a really interesting dish, and it was very cleverly put together. My partner continued her seafood choice with the poached cod, which was accompanied by an IPA sauce and served with parsnip and Mayan Gold mash. She thought it was fantastic – particularly the rich and bitter IPA sauce – and I couldn't help trying some of the quite brilliant mash myself. Mayan Gold is a very special variety of potato, and it’s well worth discovering. Happily, the sheer inventiveness and exciting flavour combinations were also evident in our desserts. For myself, I ordered Titchwell Manor’s version of a trifle (called Almost a Trifle...) and it was a work of art in itself. Sensational white chocolate mousse and almond sponge covered with aerated mango, beautifully topped

with flowers and wrapped with a glasshouse tuille it seemed unfair to call it a trifle – and a shame to eat it! It was, however, a wonderful way to end my meal. My partner’s dessert was equally attractive – both to the eye and the mouth. A sharp and refreshing combination of fresh blueberries, frozen blueberries and blueberry sorbet together with chilled and scorched coconut rice pudding, and some sweet Italian meringue – and all finished with grated fresh coconut. In a word, our meal was faultless. It looked incredible, it was true to its local origins, and it was extraordinarily tasty. Finishing our very good bottle of wine (£22) from an extensive and high quality choice, we were thinking Titchwell Manor couldn’t surprise us any more, but then our bill arrived – and it was hard to believe we’d enjoyed such a memorable 3-course meal for less than £70 (excluding the wine). An amazing dining experience that we think we think everyone should enjoy.

FOOD

10

SERVICE

8

VALUE

9

TITCHWELL MANOR Main Road, Titchwell, Norfolk PE31 8BB Telephone: 01485 210221 Web: www.titchwellmanor.com 73

AA Rosette Restaurant

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BOOK NOW FOR MOTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY SUNDAY 26 MARCH * BOOKING ESSENTIAL Old Hunstanton Road, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk PE36 6HH Tel: 01485 533486 www.caleyhallhotel.co.uk Email: mail@caleyhallhotel.co.uk

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NEW NEFF APPLIANCES NOW ON DISPLAY

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54 3-2017 196 53 YEARS OF BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS

74

Open Mon-Sat 9-5 Sun 2-4 KLmagazine March 2017

Food & Drink

Pork and Rabbit Pithivier Serves: 6 INGREDIENTS 750kg pork shoulder 1 rabbit Mirepoix mixture of; 1 carrot, 2 celery sticks, 2 onions all diced seasoning 1 large onion peeled and diced 3 garlic cloves diced 2 large carrots peeled and diced 1 leek diced 1 large apple peeled and diced ½ pint cider 300ml double cream A large handful chopped sage Thyme leaves from six stems 500g puff pastry 1 beaten egg

METHOD 1 Turn the oven on to 110°c.

sage and thyme and add the meat to the sauce, allow this to cool.

2 Place the pork and rabbit in a deep roasting pan on a bed of vegetables -the carrot, celery and onion. Season well then cover in buttered greaseproof paper and foil and slow cook for 8 hours or overnight.

5 Roll the puff pastry out to just over 1cm thick. Cut out 12 pastry rounds approximately 10cm in diameter. Roll the meat mix into balls similar in size to a small tennis ball. Place these into the centre of half of the pastry circles. Egg wash around the meat mix and encase using the left over pastry circles ensuring to push all air out and create a good seal. Leave these to cool in the fridge for one hour. Once chilled egg wash, cut lines from top to bottom in an ‘S’ shape and bake for 20 minutes at 200°c degrees.

3 The next day remove from the oven and allow to cool. Pick the meat from the bones. 4 Fry the onion, garlic, carrots, leeks and apple until soft. Deglaze the pan with the cider and allow to reduce by half, add the cream and leave on a simmer to reduce and thicken. When thick add the

Recipe by Jules Hetherton, Head Chef at Strattons Ash Close, Swaffham PE37 7NH Tel: 01760 723845 Web: www.strattonshotel.co.uk KLmagazine March 2017

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PICTURE: SARAH HARDMAN

Food & Drink

ABOVE: Lee Dyer of Winbirri Vineyards in Surlingham, which annually produces some 50,000 of wine that are putting Norfolk firmly on the map of the country’s top wine producers.

Raising a glass to a drop of Norfolk vintage... Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rioja, Champagne... the names of some regions are world famous for the fine wines they produce, and Norfolk may soon be joining them, as Sylvia Steele discovers

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s you head through the Broadland village of Surlingham in search of Winbirri Vineyards, the only sign you’ve reached your destination is the ornate ‘W’ on the huge iron gates set back from the narrow country lane. There’s no immediate signs of any grapes until you walk down the track and come across row upon row of immaculate vines covering an area of some 26 acres. However, it hasn’t always looked like this. Winbirri Vineyards was established by fruit farmer Stephen Dyer in 2007 when he spotted an opportunity for producing wine in one of the driest regions of the UK, and planted around

KLmagazine March 2017

2½ acres of his land with 200 vines. However, the first commercial planting did not take place until 2010, when Stephen’s son Lee, returned from extensive travelling in Australia and southeast Asia and took over management of the enterprise. Lee immersed himself in intensive courses in viticulture, oenology and wine skills at Plumpton College in East Sussex and became meticulous in his supervision of the vineyard. Further plantings followed that year and again in 2012, bringing the total vineyard area to 26 acres. Plans are to expand Winbirri with 10,000 new Bacchus vines to be planted this year, but Lee’s passionate

about keeping growth in check. “You can’t plant too many new vines in one hit or the rest of the vineyard will suffer,” he says. “And that’s vital. Quality begins in the vineyard.” According to Lee, the prerequisite for producing good wine is making it on site. Each step of the process is supercontrolled. Investment has already been made in the form of a modern winery with state-of-the-art equipment enabling processing to start within minutes of the grapes being picked. Lee proudly explains the process. “Fermentations are all temperaturecontrolled by computer,” he says, “and all bottling is done on site with a new GAI bottling plant, enabling inert 77

Food & Drink

ABOVE: Winbirri Vineyards now covers some 26 acres, and has picked up a host of awards in recent years, including a silver medal for its Bacchus 2013 at the English & Welsh Wine of the Year Awards 2014 and The Founders Trophy for the most outstanding red wine at the East Anglian Wine of the Year Awards 2014 for its very special Reserve 2012.

conditions for the wine.” There are plans, too, to purchase a disgorging machine and more tanks to keep up with the additional volume. Winberri currently produces around 50,000 bottles a year, but the new plantings will increase this significantly. In three vineyards Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Solaris, Rondo and Seyval Blanc are planted with Bacchus being the main focus. As a wine region, East Anglia hasn’t yet achieved the notability of other counties, in addition to having temperatures similar to the south-coast areas of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Cornwall, it has the huge advantage of being one of the driest regions in the country. Bacchus is known to prefer a drier climate and it’s therefore become the signature wine at Winberri. Based in Surlingham, an important Anglo Saxon settlement on the edge of the Broads, the name Winberri comes from the Anglo-Saxon ‘win’ (wine) and ‘birri’ (grape) – an apt name for the vineyard that’s making Norfolk known as a region capable of making world-class wine. Although relatively new, Winberri Bacchus has already made a huge impact, collecting eight trophies in the last two years (including English & Welsh Wine of the Year and

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East Anglia Wine of the Year), and took four trophies at last year’s competition organised by the UK Vineyards Association and judged by five Masters of Wine. “Winning the top gong for our Bacchus at the UK’s national wine awards really was the icing on the cake for us,” says Lee. “It makes all the hard work worthwhile.” Winberri Vineyards is very much a family-run business, with six family members working together on pruning, picking, pressing and bottling – aided by three extra employees at busy harvest times. And in addition to his ‘hands-on’ approach to management, Lee even finds time to conduct (by appointment) tours and tasting experience days. During these tours he guides visitors through the vineyards, explaining the history of Winbirri, the methods used in the care of the vines and the reasons behind his choice of the grapes he describes as “the region’s jewel in the crown.” He stresses that in a vineyard of such high quality the vines have to be treated with optimum care and require precision timing throughout the process of growing, pruning and harvesting – and there’s no room for machinery. The tours lead

naturally to the tasting room on the winery’s upper level, overlooking the rows of stacked stainless steel tanks. On display amid the aroma and taste of Winbirri wines, (the most natural place for it perhaps), is the Winbirri Vineyard’s growing trophy cabinet. At this point, everyone mellow and satisfied with their tour, only a couple of questions remain – with British wines now quoted as being fourth in the world, what next for Winbirri Vineyards, East Anglia’s own? And has that trophy cabinet reached capacity? “I hope we can continue raising the public profile of just how good Norfolk wine is,” says Lee. “We can produce the best wine in the country and we can go head-to-head with the best – and we can beat them!” Lee’s adamant that Winberri sparkling wines surpass the quality and taste of any French Champagne. It’s a bold claim, but it’s one that speaks volumes for the passion behind this successful local business. For more details and information on Winbirri Ineyards and its range of wines, please see www.winbirri.com

KLmagazine March 2017

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PICTURE: THE NATIONAL TRUST / JUSTIN MINNS

Local Life

ABOVE: The four ton wind shaft and break wheel being craned from the top of Horsey Windpump as part of the National Trust’s five-year restoration project, which should be complete later this year.

The restoration of the guardian of the Broads It’s survived floods, storms, gales and lightning strikes, but thanks to a major restoration project, it’s never looked better. Sylvia Steele looks at the history and the future of Horsey Windpump

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afeguarding the Norfolk Broads, a landscape under frequent attack by the sea, the windpump at Horsey has fulfilled its purpose since 1912. That’s when Ludham millwright Dan England, together with dedicated mill man Arthur Dove, built the present structure on the foundations of its 18th century predecessor – known as Horsey Black Mill, because its fabric was weatherproofed in tar. Horsey Black Mill suffered many incidents of structural damage, culminating in a fierce 1895 March gale which tail-winded the whole of the top. By 1912, the structure was in a state of collapse and work was started on a new

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tower of red brick walls built on the existing foundations, with a weatherboarded cap in the shape of a boat. Legend declares that a traditional initiation ceremony for a newly-elected mill man is for him to be rotated once on the windpump sails; a practice said to give him the all-important mill man’s sixth sense. This initiation ’honour’ fell to Arthur Dove, who having been involved in the building of the windpump became its new mill man. Dove’s sixth sense was put to the test when, on the night of February 12th 1938, a north-westerly gale accompanied by abnormally high tides and a full moon resulted in a sea breach flooding an area of 15 square miles.

Feeling something amiss, he raised the alarm and was able to initiate evacuation of parishioners and lifestock from the area and no lives were lost. The windpump continued working until 1943 when it was struck by lightning, splitting the massive timber stocks that held the sails and putting it out of action; by 1956 the damaged stocks were considered to have become dangerous and were taken down. Following this work, the old diesel motor was replaced by an electric pump and in the same year an appeal for funds for the Grade II listed structure was launched by the Windmill Section of the Society for the

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PICTURE: THE NATIONAL TRUST

Local Life

ABOVE: Horsey Windpump in earlier times – the structure has seen enormous changes and suffered at the hands of the elements during its 115 year history, but it’s still a favourite grazing spot for cattle (below)

Protection of Ancient Buildings to restore and paint the cap of the windpump. Horsey Windpump was built on land forming part of the Horsey Estate owned by Major Anthony Buxton of Horsey Hall. In 1948, the freehold of the 1,700-acre estate, including the windpump, was bequeathed to the National Trust by the Buxton family, who continue to occupy Horsey Hall under a lease granted by the Trust. In 1958 management of the estate became the life’s work of Anthony’s son, John Buxton MBE, a conservationist with a predominant interest in the cranes nested at Horsey Hall and the establishment of the internationally renowned wildlife sanctuary on the estate. But this wasn’t the end of Horsey Windpump’s misfortunes – for during the great gales of 1987 it once again succumbed to the extreme weather conditions with its cap being severely damaged and losing its fantail. Repairs were undertaken again and the windpump reopened to the public in 1990. Lying close to Horsey Mere, it’s one of the youngest mills on the Norfolk Broads and one of the most accessible, with views from atop its 62 steps across the marshes to the North Sea. With its cap and sails, it has always cast an unforgettable image across the tranquil open space of the Mere’s 200 acres. One of the few accessible examples

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where visitors can learn more about their industrial heritage, once restored it will be possible to demonstrate how it worked the surrounding watery landscape to become one of the most spectacular survivors of the windpump age. Now, Horsey Windpump is once again undergoing the repair and maintenance that’s so familiar on buildings of this age, and the National Trust are currently overseeing a fiveyear restoration scheme to bring the mill back to working order. The Trust has committed £244,000 to fund the project, which also benefits from a grant of £50,000 by The Wolfson Foundation, renowned for its support and encouragement in funding projects at historical sites. In April 2014, the sails, found to be rotten and falling apart, were removed and the cap, in a giant lifting procedure, was transported to the workshop of millwright Tim Whiting at Saxmundham to be rebuilt and refurbished. During the summer of 2015, a number of bat surveys were undertaken to establish their population and ensure work wouldn’t influence their activity. March 2016 saw the start of phase one of an ambitious three-phase restoration project to restore the windpump to full working order and last month the cap frame was returned and rebuilt on site in readiness for a proposed return in June of the sails – carefully remade to an historic pattern.

During the work, the structure has been closed to visitors but it’s expected the 105-year-old landmark will reopen from July 1st with the sails active once again. At its foot, by the side of the Staithe where cattle graze, it presents a traditional tranquil Norfolk scene – but that’s not to say Horsey Windpump hasn’t endured a dramatic history and survived more than its fair share of floods, storms, lightning strikes and gales. Travelling along the Acle Straight section of the A47, motorists will find themselves in a landscape that is synonymous with Norfolk; and although it’s possible to see six mills across the flat wind-blown marshes, only Horsey Windpump will have its sails turning.

KLmagazine March 2017

Treat your building project to the benefits of air source Trust 4 Way Refrigeration for a totally professional solution ith the arrival of spring and most new- and self-build projects getting off the ground, it’s the ideal time to choose air source heating to help ensure the property performs as good as it looks. The benefits of air source heating for householders are clear; low running and maintenance costs, low noise levels, reduced energy consumption and a reliable year-round performance. However, the high quality air source heating service from 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd is also becoming the first choice of local builders. “The system doesn’t need a gas supply, and there’s no requirement for flues, ventilation or extensive ground

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works,” says 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd’s Steve Simpson. “For all local builders, whether working on a self-build project or large development, it’s a really cost-effective and reasonably simple installation –and can help a property meet all current requirements for energy efficiency.” To make the most of air source heating, it’s essential to ensure the system is installed professionally, and no one has more in-depth experience of the technology and the best way to maximise performance and minimise running costs that 4 Way Refrigeration. What’s more, Steve and his fullyqualified and accredited team offers a comprehensive back-up and service on

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all their installed systems that’s second to none – along with a 3-year warranty as standard. 4 Way Refrigeration can design, install and manage all relevant aspects of the project, including the plumbing, lighting, electricals – and even solar panels and underfloor heating. And they’ll ensure all the necessary certification is completed and signed off, giving you even less to worry about. For a high-quality service from a local company with a successful track record of working with local builders, contact 4 Way Refrigeration Ltd today for more details. And discover what a difference air source heating can make to you and your building project. Unit 25, Bergen Way North Lynn Industrial Estate King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 2JG t: 01553 767878 w: www.4wayref.co.uk e: sales@4wayref.co.uk

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KLmagazine March 2017

Get the perfect finish – right from the start! Professional plastering and renovation projects from Prestige Plastering...

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aking the first step towards perfect plastering is easy – it’s to avoid the temptation to do it yourself. Professional plasterers are expert tradespeople who can build and improve floors, ceilings and walls as well as create eye-catching decorative features – and good plasterers are worth their weight in gold. Andy Ess and Perry Sturge have been in the local building trade for many years, gaining experience, building customers across Norfolk and enjoying a growing reputation for first-class work. Two years ago they decided to combine ther expertise, join forces and

go into partnership – founding Prestige Plastering. “It’s all in the name really,” says Perry. “Whether we’re working on finishing plaster, rendering or textured finishes, we’re committed to the very highest standards and exceeding our customers’ expectations.” In addition to more traditional looks, Prestige Plastering even offers more specialised work such as Venetian plastering (left), which produces a highglass, marble-like finish with plenty of depth and texture – a stunning type of wall art that can transform an interior space. But it’s not all about plastering. Over the years, Andy and Perry have

undertaken small- and large-scale renovation work on a wide range of properties from new builds to grade listed buildings, and it’s an area that benefits from their skills and attention to detail. “From liaising with architects to the final touches we can see a renovation project safely through from start to finish,” says Andy. “We’ve got a fantastic team of hand-picked contractors to handle everything from electrics to plumbing, and we can even help with any structural work.” To get your next project off to great start – and the perfect finish you’re looking for, contact Andy and Perry at Prestige Plastering. It’s all in the name!

18 Gresham Close, King’s Lynn, Norfolk E-mail: prestigeplastering1@outlook.com

KLmagazine March 2017

High quality work from start to finish – every time!

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KLmagazine March 2017

Letting Better Our monthly round up of the latest news and legislation concerning Landlords and Tenants in the private rented sector with Edmonton Estates Director Damien Simone

Independent Lettings & Property Management Specialists

QUI CK FAC TS From 1 April 2020, the minimum energy efficiency standards will be extended to all rental properties including those that have been let continuously prior to the new regulations.

Rental EPCs-

Failure Is Now An Option! F

rom April 2018 regulations come into force which will require all private rented properties to achieve a minimum energy efficiency standard for them to be legally rented. This is a significant change from when Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) first became mandatory before a property could be rented. However since its introduction it has been for the most part ineffective at raising the standards of rental properties as previously no minimum standard existed within the scoring system. This meant that it was essentially just another piece of paper that you legally needed to provide to your tenant before you let a property. This is all set to change with properties that have been rated within the bottom two categories on the rating scale (F and G) now being deemed as substandard except in exceptional circumstances which we will explain later. Although these changes won’t be

coming into effect for just over a year, now is the best time to be pulling out your property’s current EPC and checking what rating it was awarded. As with most new legislation there are a few exemptions built in which we will explore later on but initially the best course of action is to try and comply with the minimum standard. Your starting point to do this is again reading your property’s EPC which will contain recommendations of what improvements can be made to increase the energy efficiency rating of the property. Some of the more detailed reports will also highlight improvements covered under Government Green Deal Schemes which would mean that part or in some cases all of the cost of the work would be subsidised if carried out by a contractor registered with the relevant scheme. If it is not possible to upgrade the property sufficiently due to it being a listed building, affected by restrictions

imposed in a conservation area, or following the denial of planning permission by the Local Authority, the landlord will be exempt from the consequences of failing to meet the legislative requirements. Similar exemptions apply if the property is tenanted and access for the improvement works is refused by the tenant, providing evidence of sufficient attempts to carry out the work is retained. Lastly, although not yet formally confirmed it is anticipated that the Government will include a cap on a landlord’s required spending so as not to render properties beyond financial viability. If included, this cap is expected to be £5,000 per property. This is a very significant change in the legislation relating to rented property and if any landlords would like to receive further advice on this including where to obtain Green Deal funding we would be happy to assist with this.

Edmonton Estates Ltd, St Ann’s House, 18 St Ann’s Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 1LT 01553 660615 | www.edmontonestates.co.uk | info@edmontonestates.co.uk

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Local Life

ABOVE: Age UK Norfolk Furniture and More Store in Dereham. Three years ago, the charity chose King’s Lynn as the location for its first high street charity shop (right bottom) to help boost income and improve its services. Local volunteers help in the shop, and donations of unwanted items are always needed – as well as shoppers looking for a bargain.

Celebrating 70 years of helping our local elderly This year Age UK Norfolk reaches its platinum anniversary, but its valuable services have never been in more demand. Maddie Copley explains more about the charity and its need for volunteers

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his year, Age UK Norfolk celebrates 70 years of providing vital services supporting older people, their families and carers throughout Norfolk. Back in 1947, the charity was established as Norfolk Old People’s Welfare Committee because there was an urgent need to find ways to provide basic help and assistance to older people during the aftermath of the war years. Today, Age UK Norfolk operates with the support of over 270 volunteers and continues to be a trusted port of call for so many people with no one else to turn to. Every year, more and more people reach out to the service for support – last year its advice line

KLmagazine March 2017

received 11,864 calls, a 20% increase on the previous year. Age UK Norfolk offers a variety of services and support including information and advice, advocacy, benefits advice, dementia support services, Lasting Power of Attorney advice, telephone befriending, day care and respite. It also helps with housing and residential care, grants to help older people struggling to keep warm in winter, and carers’ learning grants. In fact, the charity helps older people and their families with any kind of later life issue – and if they can’t, they know someone who can. The charity’s Benefits Take-Up service helps older people claim the benefits to which they are entitled. Some 1.6

million pensioners in the UK (that’s 14% of the total number) live in poverty, so it’s a serious concern that many older people are missing out on their entitlements. Last year Age UK Norfolk’s Benefit Take-Up service helped older people in Norfolk claim a total of over £4.3 million in unclaimed benefits, which for some meant the difference between heating and eating. The charity’s services are dependent on the people who generously donate their time, expertise and compassion, and is currently in urgent need of new volunteers to be able to continue supporting older people living in Norfolk! In particular, Age UK Norfolk desperately needs volunteers from

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Local Life

West Norfolk for their Money Matters and Advocacy services, to support older people living in the west of the county. Last year, Money Matters and Advocacy volunteers made 3,487 visits to people across Norfolk in need of support – helping older people keep up with their household paperwork such as dealing with letters from banks and landlords, and completing forms. For some older people, these tasks can become too much to cope with – and Age UK Norfolk’s Money Matters volunteers help people take back control. In fact, the Money Matters service helped older people accessing the service deal with a combined total of £27,440 of personal debt last year. Age UK Norfolk is looking for Money Matters volunteers who have basic experience of handling household paperwork and can spare some time to help older people stay independent and remain in their own homes. Meanwhile, the charity’s Advocacy service volunteers help older people who feel unable to speak up for themselves and assert their rights when decisions need to be made to affect their lives. If you’re a good listener and could help give a vulnerable older person a voice, Age UK Norfolk would like to hear from you. “Age UK Norfolk is truly a volunteerled organisation,” says Samantha Taylor, Age UK Norfolk’s Advocacy Manager. “We simply wouldn’t be able to offer the support to older people we currently provide if it wasn’t for our skilled volunteers –who generously donate their time, expertise and compassion.” Training is provided for both roles and expenses are reimbursed. To find out more about these volunteer roles, please call 01603 785241, see the website at www.ageuknorfolk.org.uk or e-mail volunteering@ageuknorfolk.org.uk

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Mary’s story: a Money Matters case study 2016 document from the national charity Age UK stated that every hour, 50 older people are neglected or abused in their own homes by family members, friends, neighbours or care workers(1). In Mary’s case(*), it was a person she’d known for six years who abused her financially and ruined her trust in others. Thankfully, local charity Age UK Norfolk was able to step in and help Mary with her finances and to rebuild her trust. Mary grew up in King’s Lynn with her father, who worked at the docks, her mother and her sister. At 21, Mary married James and they remained living with her mother for many years, who Mary cared for. Later, her sister’s son was sadly lost in a tragic accident and Mary cared for her sister and niece for four months to help them while they grieved. Fast forward to today – and after a lot of time spent caring for others, Mary has moved to a care home and now finds herself in need of assistance. Mary is profoundly deaf, cannot see very well and is confined to a wheelchair. She says she doesn’t have any hobbies due to her disabilities, and after a dark period in her life (when her ‘carer’ of six years stole over £35,000 from her) Mary understandably finds it difficult to trust others. Social services referred Mary to Age UK Norfolk’s Money Matters service,

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which sees members matched with a volunteer to help them get their household finances and affairs in order. “My confidence was at a real low and I felt I couldn’t trust anyone,” says Mary. “I now have peace of mind and trust everything that Age UK Norfolk does for me. I’ve slowly been able to trust again!” It’s a typical example of just how valuable Age UK Norfolk’s volunteers are to the service. “I was pleased to take on this case as I was dismayed at the financial abuse Mary had suffered two years ago,” says volunteer Linda Baines. “Since then, I’ve sorted out all her direct debits and questioned the cost of her care. Mary also let me be her third party, which allowed me to pay her bills or withdraw cash and act on her behalf – enabling her to live independently up until a few months ago when she had to go into a home.” For Linda, the experience was rewarding – and continues to be so. “Mary’s happy for me to carry on assisting with her finances today and I have a really good relationship with her,” she says. “Mary trusts me – and after all she’s been through, that’s a real privilege.” Age UK Norfolk is currently looking for more volunteers for its Money Matters service. If you think you could help, please contact the charity using the details opposite.

REFERENCES 1 Later Life in the United Kingdom December 2016: www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/ EN-GB/Factsheets/Later_Life_UK_factsheet.pdf?dtrk=true (accessed January 2017) * Some names have been changed to protect people’s identities

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01234

CC K

C

n King’s Lyn y it n u Comm lub C Cinema

01234

Local Arts

ABOVE: For the last seven years, St George’s Guildhall in the centre of King’s Lynn has provided the King’s Lynn Community Cinema Club with the perfect setting for celebrating the magic of the movies – both past and present

The local club with a genuine love of film It’s often said that the golden age of cinema has come and gone, but the members of the King’s Lynn Community Cinema Club would argue it’s never gone away, as KL magazine discovers...

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veryone loves a good film, but for some people the contemporary screen diet of endless sequels and comic book tie-ins leaves much to be desired. The good news for true film enthusiasts is that for the last seven years an independent, non-profit organization in the centre of King's Lynn has been treating moviegoers to a regular (and varied) programme of screenings, close-up film appreciation sessions and social events. The King’s Lynn Community Cinema Club (KLCCC) started life in 2010 when

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the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk decided to stop programmning events in St George’s Guildhall at the King’s Lynn Arts Centre. “Until then, the Arts Centre had been showing films as part of its varied cultural programme,” says KLCCC Founding Committee Member and Vice Chair Amanda Goldsmith. “Not wishing to see this come to an end, a small group of local film and cinema enthusiasts decided to set up an independent film club to keep the building open and alive and to coninue their love of watching non-mainstream

films in the venue.” A steering group was quickly formed by former College of West Anglia tutor Nick Sampson, and with support from the British Federation of Film Societies and the Independent Cinema Office, a constitution was written and KLCC was born. “Shortly afterwards, a separate Programming Group was established to select which films would be shown and accounts were set up with various film distributors,” says Amanda. “The first film screened by the new club was Nicole Holofcener’s dark comedy

KLmagazine March 2017

Please Give, and it was enjoyed by 129 people on Thursday, 9th September 2010.” Initially, the club presented films in the traditional way, using 35mm film reels which required couriering to and from the distributors, but with the increasing use of digital technology and the demise of celluloid, all films are now shown in digital format on a fullsize screen in St Geroge’s Guildhall. From the outset, the aims of the KLCC were clearly set out in a constitution that continues to govern the way the club runs today. It holds two seasons of films each year, screening at least one film each month (usually on the second Thursday) although extra films are frequently shown, including the occasional weekend matinee. The club also works in association with the King’s Lynn Festival to screen films that supplement their year-round programme of cultural events. “Last year the club screened a total of 20 films to a total combined audience of nearly 2,000,” says KLCCC Chairman Ian Barton. “All members are encouraged to leave feedback on our website after each film, using a simple scoring system. It’s a great way for the programming group to ensure we’re responding to the preferences of the membership in future film choices.” That approach of presenting films its audience actually wants to watch is central to the club’s success. “We screen films from a huge variety of genres from recent releases to classics, from foreign to arthouse films, and from documentaries to musicals,” says Ian, “so it’s really important we listen to our members’ feedback.” And it’s an approach that certainly works, showing classic movies in the way they were meant to be seen, and challenging audiences with films they may have ordinarily never have the opportunity to experience. Last year, the club’s best attended film was John Crowley’s 2015 romantic drama Brooklyn, written by Nick Hornby and based on Colm Tóibín’s 2009 novel of the same name –while the highest-rated film of 2016 according to members’ feedback (96%) was Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s internationally co-produced drama Mustang, set in a remote Turkish village and depicting the lives of five young orphaned sisters. In addition to film screenings, the KLCCC also runs regular close-up film appreciation events throughout the year as a way of encouraging a wider enjoyment of cinema. “These events are enjoyable, informal and sociable with no prior knowledge

KLmagazine March 2017

ABOVE: In addition to celebrating timeless classics such as The Wizard of Oz (1939) the King’s Lynn Community Cinema Club also presents modern (and less well publicised) films such as Brooklyn (the club’s highest-attended screening last year) and Mustang – its members’ highest-rated fim of 2016.

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Local Arts

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Films All films are shown at St George’s Guildhall in King’s Lynn JULIETA (15) Thursday 9th March 7.30pm Drama/Romance (2016)

ABOVE: A selection of images demonstrating the breadth of films featured and/or examined by the King’s Lynn Community Cinema Club over the coming months; on-screen depictions of Jack the Ripper (Jack the Ripper 1959), Hollywood classics (Gone with the Wind 1939), foreign-language Oscar winners (Closely Observed Trains 1966), San Francisco in the movies (Vertigo 1958) and the visual magic of musicals (Daddy Long Legs 1955)

of the films necessary, and they include free refreshments, which is usually a glass of wine!” says KLCCC Education Officer Sue Burge. “They enable people to gain insights into many different aspects of film via a combination of input, informal discussions and a variety of fascinating film clips.” Usually taking place on midweek evenings and lasting for around two hours, the events are supplemented by a number of weekend full-day courses – anyone is welcome to attend any of the close-up events with members benefitting from a discount admission. The KLCC also holds a range of social events throughout the year, including pre- or post-screening meals at Bank House or the Riverside Restaurant in King’s Lynn, as well as subsidised outings a little further afield to places such as Southwold’s famous Electric Picture Palace. The King’s Lynn Community Cinema Club always welcomes new members,

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CLOSELY OBSERVED TRAINS (15) Tuesday 21st March 2pm In conjunction with King’s Lynn Festival Comedy/Drama/War (1966) HELL OR HIGH WATER (15) Thursday 13th April 7.30pm Action/Crime/Drama (2016)

who can join at any time during the year. Membership costs just £30 and includes admission (plus up to two guests!) for all regular and extra film screenings, discounted admission for close-up events and Festival films, a monthly newsletter and priority booking for all social outings. To encourage new members, the KLCC recently introduced a £5 ‘day’ membership where visitors can pay on the door for the one film viewing. “We introduced it to allow people to see a film without any obligation and decide if they’d like to become members,” says Chairman Ian Barton. “The initiative is only three months old but more than half our ‘day’ members have enjoyed it so much they’ve signed up for full membership!” Full details of all the club’s forthcoming activities plus a full archive of close-up events can be found on the website at www.klccc.uk along with contact details and how you can join.

ADULT LIFE SKILLS (15) Thursday 27th April 7.30pm Comedy/Drama (2016)

Close-up events JACK THE RIPPER FILMS Friday 10th March 7.30-9.30pm Thoresby College, King’s Lynn With Guest Speaker Dr Clare Smith, National Museum of Wales LOCATION! LOCATION! EAST ANGLIA ON SCREEN Saturday 22nd April 11am-5pm Friends’ Meeting House, King’s Lynn A day course led by Sue Burge VISUAL MAGIC IN THE MUSICALS Thursday 18th May 7-9pm Thoresby College, King’s Lynn With guest speaker Christopher Budd CITIES ON SCREEN: AN EVENING IN SAN FRANCISCO Thursday 15th June 7.30pm-9.30pm Thoresby College, King’s Lynn Event led by Sue Burge

KLmagazine March 2017

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KLmagazine March 2017

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Local Arts

ABOVE: Norwich-based artist Danny Keen, whose work in celebrating the history and culture of the local black community resulted in his being awarded a lifetime achievement award at last year’s Black Entertainment Film, Fashion, Television and Arts Awards

A different view of colour from artist Danny Keen... How did a Jamaican-born boy arriving in the UK in early 1950s end up as an award-winning Norfolk artist celebrating black history and culture? Richard Parr meets Danny Keen to find out.

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ast year, Norwich-based artist Danny Keen was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the Black Entertainment Film, Fashion, Television and Arts Awards (BEFFTA). For Danny is no ordinary local artist. Arriving on the shores of the UK from Jamaica back in 1952, Danny’s aim is to use his painting to return the black community to its rightful place – both culturally and historically. The award was in recognition of his portrayals of prominent figures in the black community, including Mary Seacole (a pioneering nurse and heroine of the Crimean War), James Oyebola (British heavyweight boxing

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champion from 1994-96) and Johnson Beharry (who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 2005). Danny’s portraits are hung in some of Britain’s most famous buildings, including City Hall, London and the Imperial War Museum. He’s even painted the founder of Big Issue magazine, John Bird, who’s full of praise for Danny’s technique. “Danny’s paintings are uplifting,” he says. “He’s got a logistical style, he’s got a realist draughtsman style, and he’s got a wonderful style which takes abstraction to a place I’ve never seen!” Danny says his work attempts to portray black people in a better light, pointing out that ‘black’ history has

often been a hidden history – and one’s that been woefully neglected. “My grandfather came to fight in the First World War as part of the Caribbean Forces,” he says. “His generation were invited to come to Europe and fight, but black veterans weren’t invited to march at the Cenotaph on November 11th until fairly recently. All of those decades have gone by and it’s only now that history is beginning to be recognised – and I think that’s very important.” Danny says someone like Johnson Beharry represents the epitome of it for him. “When Beharry received the Victoria Cross, he was the first living person to

KLmagazine March 2017

ABOVE: A detail from one of Danny’s portraits of Johnson Beharry, who was awarded the Victoria Cross on 18th March 2005 and was the first living soldier to receive the medal in over 50 years. Below is part of Danny’s portrait of The Greatest – the recently-deceased Muhammad Ali.

be awarded the medal in 53 years,” he says. “He saved the lives of over 30 people on two separate occasions, so he’s fully earned his place in British history.” Danny believes that in many ways, the history of ‘ordinary’ people is always hidden. “You have to actively go out there, dig it up and put it in its proper place,” he says. “It’s an ongoing thing. It will never stop and I think that’s all part of education – people need the time to research their history and find the truth about themselves.” Danny was one of the Windrush Generation – named after the ship MV Empire Windrush, which arrived at Tilbury docks on June 22nd 1948 carrying 492 Caribbean passengers. “To this day I think many people are confused as to how a man born in Jamaica ended up living in Norwich,” he says. “But what they don’t know is that Lord Nelson – who’s so famous here in Norfolk – sailed for Jamaica in a boat called the Lowestoft. The links between the two countries goes back a

KLmagazine March 2017

long time!” Danny says his whole career has been built around promoting the image of black people in the black community, and it’s been something of a solitary one. “In all my time, I’ve never met another West Indian person trained in the fine arts,” he says. “The BEFFTA award was a recognition from within the black community and it’s a recognition for my peers, which is just fantastic.” Danny was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1948, but he’s now a keen advocate of life in Norfolk. “A Jamaican living in the Norfolk countryside can confuse people, but I do feel like a local,” he says. “I love it in Norfolk, and I love the neighbours – they certainly don’t treat me like a foreigner and I’m most proud of the work I’ve produced at my studio in Norfolk.” The arrival of the Windrush in June 1948 marked the beginning of a largescale West Indian immigration to Britain, and it transformed the country’s social landscape forever.

Four years later, in 1952, Danny arrived in Southampton to join his mother – who’d travelled to the UK alone the previous year to raise the necessary funds to bring her family to Britain and the start of a new life. “I don't remember a great deal about the journey, other than the fact I had my first ever sausage!” Danny laughs. “I also remember it felt very cold in Britain, which came as a bit of a shock after the heat of Jamaica.” He says his parents were very entrepreneurial people who arrived in this country at a time when there was no social services, and no council flats. There were, however, plenty of jobs – and the family had a shared desire to make something of their lives. After a career in the catering industry, including a stint as owner of the famous Alibi bar in Norwich, Danny picked up his paintbrushes again and began creating his portrait series. It’s not all about portraits, however. Danny’s publicly exhibited art also includes some of his extraordinary psychedelic work from the 1960s. Living at Upper Gresham near Holt, Danny is also a keen jazz and blues pianist and has been heavily involved in Norfolk’s Black History Month events. It’s encouraging to learn that since coming to Norfolk almost 30 years ago, Danny has never experienced any racism in the county. “I did experience some racism in London, but in Norfolk I’ve only ever experienced acceptance and wonderful people,” he says. “Actually, Norfolk was the first place in the UK to experience black music, when black airmen from America were stationed here during the Second World War. I think it’s always been a groovy place!”

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The Last Word

WildWestNorfolk Michael Middleton’s

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couple of weeks ago, a group of us took part in a very enjoyable (and surprisingly tough) pub quiz – and managed to finish in a very creditable third place. We may have done even better had any of us known anything about Michael Bublé, Greek mythology or 17th century opera. I have an almost insatiable appetite for useless information, so when one of my fellow team members gave up trying to remember the father of Icarus and asked why we call these tidbits of general knowledge ‘trivia’ I couldn’t help but make it my mission to find out. Now, even my lamentable knowledge of Latin is enough to know that the word is composed of two parts; ‘tri’ (for three, as is ‘triangle’) and ‘via’ (for road, as in ‘viaduct’) – which gives us a rough literal translation for ‘trivia’ as ‘three roads.’ But how did a random road junction come to describe a seemingly irrelevant piece of obscure information? The answer to that lies with someone you’ve almost certainly never heard of – Martianus Capella, a little-known scholar born in North Africa some time around the turn of the 5th century. He was one of the founders of what we used to call a classical education; a learning curriculum based around a number of core subjects. At a time when he may have been better employed thinking of ways to repel the marauding Vandals (there’s a good reason why we still use the word today) Capella sat down and produced a book with the the distinctly odd title of On the Marriage of Philology and Mercury. In it, he outlined the individual subjects (the ‘seven liberal arts’) which 98

together formed the cornerstones of a good, well-rounded education. They were arithmetic, geometry, astonomy, music, grammar, rhetoric (that’s talking to you and I) and logic. His ideas were hugely influential, and hundreds of years later schoolmasters were still saying that if you could understand those subjects, you could pretty much understand anything. Well, that's logic for you. Anyway, despite their lofty pretentions not all Capella’s subjects were held in the same regard. As they were concerned with matters of quantity and magnitude, the four ‘arts’ of arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music occupied a higher and more worthwhile place in the scheme – a place that was known as the ‘quadrivium’ from the Latin word for crossroads. Four subjects, four roads – you get the picture. As for grammar, rhetoric and logic, they dealt with matters of language and writing, so they weren’t held in quite the same esteem; but as there were three of them they were known by a name derived from the Latin for a place where three roads met – ‘trivium’ – and I think you can already see the way this is going to end. Eventually, Capella’s subjects found their importance threatened by the growth in history, politics, art, medicine and chemistry – and although the idea of a classical education has never completely disappeared, his system had been largely discarded by the end of the 17th century. As for the ‘lower’ level of learning, ‘trivium’ gave rise to an adjective (‘trivialis’ naturally) which was used to mean anything commonplace, vulgar or ordinary. Trivialis was a way of

describing the ‘lower’ kinds of language or behavior you’d find (and can still find) on street corners. This was the meaning of the word when it was imported to English in the late 1500s, and trivial has remained in use ever since to describe anything ordinary or trite. But because the trivium was considered the lesser of the two tiers of the Capella’s seven liberal arts, over time its plural form (‘trivia’) also gained a separate meaning – it came to be associated not just with commonplace or ordinary things, but with inconsequential knowledge or learning and, by the late 19th century, with random, throwaway facts or pieces of information. By the 1960s, the first games and quizzes to use the term trivia began to emerge, and the word has continued to be associated with general knowledge ever since – especially after Chris Haney and Scott Abbott invented a game that’s gone on to sell something over 90 million copies since it was released in 1982. So now you know. Oh, and as for the father of Icarus, it was Daedalus of course.

KLmagazine March 2017

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